Digital disruption and the Internet Of Things
At this stage of BIM implementation or “digitization” of the AEC (Architecture Engineering and Construction) sector, new technologies such as IoT, Internet of Things, are often referred to. This technology, potentially offers a number of benefits to the construction industry, such as improving the productivity and efficiency of interconnected systems.
The Internet of Things, literally “Internet of Things,” is thus a technology that enables devices and equipment, to send and receive data. According to Wikipedia, the term “Internet of Things” was first used by a British entrepreneur in 1999, and over time it came to be defined as a set of data transmission methods and protocols.
This technological advancement has brought with it what is referred to in the Anglo-Saxon world as “digital disruption” and is increasingly impacting various industries, not just construction. One only has to turn around to see the degree to which this technology is becoming more widespread, starting with clocks that tell us to walk more, refrigerators that alert us if the electricity “goes out,” garages that open themselves when we come home, we could go on with dozens more examples, but the point is that all of this, as with the commercial sector, is also happening in the construction sector.
Building Information Modeling and IoT
The connection between BIM and IoT at this point seems almost obvious; in fact, the BIM method is about managing and organizing information, while IoT technology is about sending and receiving data. The use of IoT devices to serve a BIM process definitely amplifies its efficiency, and the uses can be varied, from predictive maintenance, energy savings, safety management, site logistics efficiency and others.
As an example, an IoT solution based on Intelligent Systems’ Azure cloud and Microsoft services was developed that connects thousands of sensors inside elevators, which monitor a range of data, from motor temperature to shaft alignment.
This facility management or BIM 6D-oriented solution enables technicians to use real-time data to detect, for example, a malfunction or failure, enabling effective prevention activities, a decrease in costs but, most importantly, a major reduction in facility downtime. Another example of the relationship between BIM and IoT is certainly Autodesk’s Project Dasher, a research project to develop a BIM-based platform that serves to provide detailed insight into the performance of buildings over time.
BIM as Better Information Management
The application possibilities then are many and can lead to many advantages, both in terms of economics and optimization of activities, from the construction phase to the operation and maintenance phase.
It is important to consider, however, that this technology produces a considerable amount of data, and it is not enough to simply “pair” it with Building Information Modeling to derive a more efficient system if a Better Information Management, i.e., a solid information organization process, has not been studied at its base.
