Topical Commentary • Technology
£846,365 funding coming from the government. Colin Evison, Head of Innovation at BAM Nuttall said: ‘We are really excited to join the 5G Create programme and have the opportunity to further develop our digital capability that will help us in our mission to build sustainable environments that enhance people’s lives. We believe the project outcomes will benefit our business and the wider construction industry in its drive to improve productivity.’
construction industry is hampered by the fact that 5G is not yet widely available. Despite
various mobile networks claiming the arrival of 5G
technology, the government have actually set a target date of 2027 for the majority of the UK to access 5G. From this, it is clear that we have a way to go before 5G becomes a factor in the everyday working practices of the industry. This being said, the arrival of 5G technology within the UK construction industry should provide
answers to some of the industry’s most pressing problems. Most notably, the technology will aid
The government have set a target date of 2027 for most of the nation to have access to 5g
It is not only the use of drones, mixed reality and IoT in the industry that will draw on the use of 5G to revolutionise productivity. In time, the development of remote controlled and autonomous machinery will also utilise progress in 5G technology. Back in 2019, Telia, Ericsson and Volvo Construction Equipment launched Sweden’s first 5G network for industrial use at Volvo CE’s facility in Eskilstuna in order to test remote-controlled machines and autonomous solutions. The testing (pictured right) explored how the 5G network can be used to develop solutions for remotely controlling construction machinery and fully automated solutions. As things stand, the use of 5G across the wider UK
construction sites in becoming safer working environments. From the use of drones, to mixed reality programmes, to the use of fully remote controlled and autonomous machinery on sites, 5G will allow the average working site to operate with people on site. This cuts the possibility of injuries due to man and machine working in close proximity. Further 5G could be used to bridge the skills gap the industry has been facing in recent years. With younger workers feeling comfortable with using more advanced technology, a shift from hands on work to more technology based skills may occur. As a result, the skills required for working on construction sites may change drastically over the next few decades. ■
62 • FEBRUARY 2021 • Plant Planet
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