S.Korea's construction companies turn sector into high-tech battleground

South Korea's construction companies are aggressively employing state-of-the-art technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 3D modeling and robots at work sites.

Construction venues are thus turning into technical sites featuring advanced technology in shunning their traditional image as worksites driven by physical labor.

Industry sources on Thursday said builder DL E&C Co. launched the customer response management system D-Voice by applying for the first time in the sector conversational AI ChatGPT technology. Customer consultation content is automatically converted into text, summarized and analyzed by AI, categorized by keyword and saved.

The accumulated data is used in subsequent consultations.

Construction projects employ state-of-the-art technologies in the planning, design and building phases of projects. In its successful bid for the Namhae-Yeosu Undersea Tunnel, DL E&C used building information modeling (BIM), which integrates data produced throughout the business process based on 3D modeling, to present the shortest construction section among bidders.

AI also plays a major role in construction site safety. Hyundai Engineering & Construction is promoting automated safety management by deploying Spot, a four-legged safety robot with artificial intelligence, to the field. Such gadgets are placed in blind spots at construction sites like narrow spaces deemed dangerous for humans to approach, and photos of the site are recorded and real-time monitoring conducted using video and environmental sensors.

In 2020, GS Engineering & Construction Co. introduced Spot robots for the first time in the industry to manage site safety.

In March, Lotte Engineering & Construction applied for a patent on technology to reinforce earth-retaining safety by using AI to find cracks in buildings and roads. The system analyzes safety data near temporary retaining facilities that prevent the ground from collapsing or underground water from flowing during below-ground excavation at a construction site to warn managers of danger.

The builder will apply this technology to all its worksites in collaboration with specialized information and communications technology companies.

Taeyoung Engineering & Construction added AI technology to its auto sensors for forklifts and rear safety devices for heavy equipment to design an image recognition system that distinguishes people from objects by detecting the former only. When a camera detects a person, an audiovisual danger alert is issued to prevent an accident. 

"When it comes to construction sites, physical or manual labor is already an outdated concept," a construction industry source said. "Advanced technology is now applied to all stages like design, construction and follow-up management to help solve the industry's chronic labor shortage and problems in accident risk management."

Write to So-Hyeon Kim at alpha@hankyung.com