In an ever-changing world where technology is making its way into absolutely every area, it is impossible to ignore the technological trends in real estate.

One of the most popular trends in the modern world artificial intelligence has been used in the field of real estate for a long time and there are a lot of cases from smart consultants to predicting market trends.

In this article we'd like to cover a more focused area of AI in real estate - Computer Vision which is changing entire industries, and it couldn't bypass the real estate construction industry.

You'll get acquainted with main safety challenges faced in the construction industry and how the latest Computer Vision technology can improve employees’ safety, reduce risks, save money and time.

This technology works from detecting the smallest bacteria to large construction sites or warehouses. The possibilities of Computer Vision models are really hard to overestimate. Computer Vision is able to completely replace the human system of perception of the visual world, it is a camera with a computer that can identify, recognise and classify objects, if it is first taught to do so.

Cameras already exist in most modern workplaces. Hundreds of photos and videos are processed daily, which can later be converted into a valuable data set, and if used it properly, you can greatly simplify and automate routine things like the safety of construction workers or quality control.

Table of contents:

• Construction workplace safety issues
• How Computer Vision can solve workplace safety challenges
• Computer Vision models 
• How to implement CV in your business
• Bonus-tips: 7 simple rules for your employee’s safety
• Conclusion

Construction safety issues

The construction industry has the highest mortality rate, twice the average for the entire sector. Minor accidents happen every day, simply put, the construction industry is recognised as the most dangerous to human life.

There are many unsafe places on construction sites, and some dangers can be completely hidden.

Surprisingly, workers become less sensitive to warnings over time. Many construction companies share the view that workers actually underestimate their chances of injury, take risks on a daily basis and think they are lucky.

When an employee thinks the least about risk, the more likely it is that an accident will occur.

Here are some statistics from the United States in 2021 so that you can evaluate the real danger of the construction industry:

Employers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their employees - providing quality ammunition, constant monitoring of the situation and quality systematic safety training. But the human factor plays significant role here, we are often inattentive, which is what we pay for.

Below of accidents in the construction industry:

How Computer Vision can help solve safety issues?

It is a necessity to have surveillance cameras on construction sites to monitor the activities of workers and rewatch accidents. With the help of Computer Vision, you can improve your workplace safety more than you think.

By accumulating the data your cameras process on a daily basis, you can train a computer vision model to identify and classify how this technology can alert you or warn employees.

Computer Vision models

PPE (personal protective equipment) – depending on what PPE you use in your business, the model can be taught to define it with a large amount of data.

The model quickly analyses your employees and identifies what equipment and personal protective equipment they lack. Sometimes timely notification of workers about their equipment can save lives and reduce the risk of accidents.

Frequently used equipment:

• Apron
• Glasses
• Hard hat
• Hearing muff
• Mask
• Vest
• Sleeve
• Gloves

Below you can see our case Computer Vision PPE detection:

Area control - in many construction sites it is necessary to define unsafe zones, as well as limit the number of workers in these places. With this model, you can prevent workers from entering restricted areas.

Frequently used models:

• Crane area
• Light controls
• Line of fire
• Machine area controls
• Machine-worker restricted area
• Maximum/minimum worker count
• Static delimitation area
• Time limited area

Check out our ready area control Computer Vision model:

Vehicle controls - monitor the movement of vehicles, make sure that the operator respects the routes, speed and uses seat belts.

Frequently used models:

• Dynamic delimitation area
• Speed limit
• Vehicle operation zone
• Vehicle PPE compliance
• Vehicle restricted controls

Behavioural safety - prevent accidents and rule violations in unsafe areas such as the firing line or working at height.

Frequently used models:

• Pedestrian way violation
• Restricted height
• Stairs banister usage
• Climbing
• Contact with electricity
• Grouping

Pandemic control measures - with the advent of COVID19 in the modern world it has become very important to control social distance and time. The computer vision model will help you check your employees for masks and other equipment.

Frequently used models:

• Mask detection
• Social distance
• Time counting

How to implement Computer Vision?

Given the widespread use of surveillance cameras in the construction industry, the implementation procedure will be reduced in time due to the large amount of data that will help train and develop the model individually for your case.

There are two options for the implementation of computer vision models - processing on the server and internal installation of the model directly into the device.

In construction, it will be more relevant to install the model on the device, since it allows you to process data in real time.

Server installation

This type provides the ability to install the model on servers - Azure, AWC, Digital Ocean. Connection to the model occurs through the interface - API. We set up and train the model, and you send it ready-made data, receiving information about the object in response.

Installation on the edge

In the first case, you will spend more time processing the data, so for quick processing there is an option to install on the edge. It is especially relevant for those industries where real-time data transfer and processing is important. Devices can be different - Raspberry Pi, Google Coral or NVidia Jetson.

Bonus-tips: 7 simple rules for your employee’s safety

1. Remind your workers always wear PPE.
2. Review your way how to train and induct new employees.
3. Keep a tidy site.
4. Check that warning signs are accessible and easy to read.
5. Encourage your employees to report defects and malfunctions.
6. Use right modern equipment.
7. Review your safety rules.

Conclusion

The construction industry is directly related to the safety of lives, which increases the cost of losses and constantly endangers human lives.

The safety of workers must be controlled with particular precision and speed, which can be fully ensured by the development of computer vision models.

According to statistics, the count of alerts is down to 50% after 2 months starting using Computer Vision models, it means that your employees will be much more accurate and get safe habits.

We have rich experience in the development of Computer Vision models in the construction industry, we are closely familiar with all the nuances of this industry, so we can provide you with high-quality development services.

Contact us to consult and start the implementation of Computer Vision models for your individual requirements.