Construction companies' artificial intelligence (AI) services are evolving. Beyond basic processes such as excavation and hauling, AI is permeating the construction industry across cost estimation, review of overseas project contracts, safety training for foreign workers, and even resident services after completion. It is becoming a core technology that not only boosts on-site work efficiency but also determines internal decision-making at corporations and the quality of residential services.
◇ Autonomous Driving forklifts roving sites at night… "They reduce process interference"
The most prominent area for AI use is the actual construction site. Samsung C&T's construction division has introduced Autonomous Driving forklifts and material-moving robots powered by AI at the reconstruction site of Banpo District 3 in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
By automatically transporting materials at night when there is no work on site, it minimizes interference with daytime processes and improves work efficiency. The Autonomous Driving forklift recognizes pallets stacked on site on its own and hauls materials to designated locations, after which the material-moving robot loads the allocated materials, calls and boards the elevator, and transports and unloads them inside the apartment units.
POSCO E&C is using AI for concrete quality control. Before pouring, AI analyzes the condition of ready-mix concrete to keep construction quality consistent. AI automatically calculates slump, which indicates the consistency of fresh concrete, and moisture content to reduce deviations stemming from worker experience.
A POSCO E&C official said, "We are moving away from relying on skilled workers' experience through data-based scientific management," and added, "We are using AI to help deliver stronger and safer structures."
◇ AI also takes on cost estimation and contract review
AI is being rapidly applied to construction companies' internal operations as well. Lotte Engineering & Construction developed an "AI construction cost estimation model" to improve efficiency in estimating work. The model standardizes estimate line items and is designed to calculate unit prices based on objective criteria.
In particular, by introducing natural-language-based mapping technology, it can derive related unit prices without having to check complex estimate codes one by one as before. Lotte Engineering & Construction expects this to simultaneously improve the speed and accuracy of estimating tasks.
Daewoo Engineering & Construction is using a self-developed contract document analysis system called "Barodap AI." It supports rapid and accurate AI-based review of voluminous contracts during bidding and execution for domestic and overseas projects. It also incorporates various technologies that detect construction risks in advance to effectively reduce potential risk factors during project execution.
The system has completed practical verification on projects such as the Mozambique LNG project and is being expanded to various overseas businesses. Lee Hee-ung, Head of Team of Daewoo Engineering & Construction's AX Data Team, said, "Barodap AI immediately finds the information needed within project documents that run into the thousands of pages and organizes it with precise grounds," and added, "In the past, just searching for materials took half a day, but now with AI's help we can secure key information in minutes and focus on essential decision-making."
◇ Safety training for foreign workers also with AI
AI is also being used for safety training for foreign workers. Samsung C&T collaborated with the AI-based Edtech company HiLocal to conduct an "AI solution safety training pilot project" for foreign workers affiliated with partner firms at construction sites. The solution integrates AI multilingual translation, real-time image translation, and a serious-accident prevention safety training AI tutor function. It supports 40 languages. In the pilot, the accuracy of STT (Speech-to-Text) converting voice to text and translation accuracy both averaged above 80%, and the training satisfaction of major-nationality workers, including those from Vietnam, Nepal, and Uzbekistan, met target levels.
◇ Spreading to resident services such as detecting electric vehicle fires
AI is also expanding into resident services after completion. IPARK Hyundai Development Company (formerly HDC Hyundai Development Company) is applying an AI-based fire prevention system in IPARK complex parking lots. Starting with "Seoul One IPARK," created through the development of the area around Gwangwoon University Station in Nowon-gu, Seoul, it is introducing an auxiliary detection system for electric vehicle fires in underground parking lots. By installing intelligent AI CCTV and thermal imaging cameras, it aims to detect the possibility of electric vehicle fires early and respond quickly.
Industry watchers say AI is becoming a core technology that goes beyond a simple work aid to enhance on-site productivity, safety, business feasibility assessments, and competitiveness in residential services. A construction industry official said, "Construction is an industry with many on-site variables and much paperwork," and added, "How effectively AI is integrated on site will determine construction companies' competitiveness going forward."