BIM-Guided Mobile Robot Inspection for Construction Progress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional construction progress monitoring methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, dangerous, and prone to subjective results, lacking the robustness and reliability needed for efficient and accurate inspections on building construction sites.
Innovation Solution
A mobile robotic system equipped with a sensor system that uses a building information model (BIM) to autonomously navigate and inspect building objects, determining goal points for optimal coverage and employing convolutional neural networks (CNN) for object detection and filtering out false detections based on geometric information from both the BIM and real-time sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inspection methods are used with human inspectors and conventional tools, then the inspection process can be performed with simple equipment, but the process becomes time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to subjective results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an autonomous mobile robotic system equipped with sensors (cameras, LIDAR, depth sensors) and automated navigation capabilities. The robot autonomously traverses construction sites, captures images and sensor data, and processes this information to generate progress reports, eliminating the need for manual inspection while significantly improving efficiency and reducing inspection time
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic inspection system performs self-navigation, self-data-collection, and self-processing of inspection information. The robot autonomously moves to inspection points, captures required data using onboard sensors, processes images and sensor readings through integrated computing systems, and generates progress reports without continuous human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself throughout the inspection process
2Reliability
If manual inspection methods are used, then the equipment required is simple and easy to operate, but the process becomes dangerous and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human inspectors exposed to construction site hazards with an autonomous robotic system. The robot navigates dangerous environments, inspects hard-to-reach areas, and collects data without putting human workers at risk of falls, heavy object injuries, or exposure to hazardous materials, thereby eliminating safety hazards while maintaining inspection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between the inspection requirements and the construction site environment. Instead of humans directly entering hazardous zones, the robot serves as a mediator that collects data from dangerous areas and transmits information back to operators, eliminating direct human exposure to harmful factors while maintaining reliable inspection capabilities
3Measurement precision
If conventional manual inspection tools are used, then the system complexity is low, but the inspection results become subjective and less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic inspection system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: autonomous navigation, multi-sensor data acquisition (cameras, LIDAR, depth sensors), real-time image processing, 3D mapping, and progress report generation. This multi-functional system replaces multiple separate tools and processes, achieving high measurement precision through standardized sensor-based measurements while managing complexity through integrated system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective human visual assessment with objective sensor-based measurement systems. Cameras capture images, LIDAR generates precise distance measurements, and depth sensors provide accurate spatial information. These data are processed through algorithms that objectively determine construction progress, eliminating subjectivity while the integrated system manages complexity through automated processing pipelines
4Productivity
If automated mobile robotic systems with sensors are deployed, then inspection efficiency and accuracy improve, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges navigation functions, sensor systems (cameras, LIDAR, depth sensors), processing units, and communication modules into a single integrated mobile robotic platform. This consolidation achieves high inspection efficiency through coordinated operation of multiple subsystems while managing complexity through unified system architecture and centralized control, rather than requiring separate systems for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A method of inspecting a building construction site using a mobile robotic system includes a mobile platform and a sensor system mounted on the mobile platform and configured to generate one or more types of sensor data. The method includes: receiving object identification information identifying at least one building object to be inspected by the mobile robotic system in the building construction site; obtaining a robot navigation map covering the at least one building object based on a building information model for the building construction site; and determining at least one goal point in the robot navigation map for the at least one building object, each goal point being a position in the robot navigation map for the mobile robotic system to navigate autonomously to for inspecting corresponding one or more building objects of the at least one building object. A corresponding inspection system is also provided.