Automated Part Tracking on the Construction Job Site.
Automated Part Tracking on the Construction Job Site.
(1588 K)
Stone, W. C.; Pfeffer, L. E.; Furlani, K. M.
Robotics 2000. ASCE Conference on Robotics for
Challenging Environments. February 28-March 2, 2000,
Albuquerque, NM, 2000.
Keywords:
construction; information dissemination; technology
utilization
Abstract:
Efforts are underway at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a web-based
system for rapid tracking, identifying, and locating
manufactured components on the construction jobsite. The
approach involves the use of RFID and barcode
identification systems, 3D long range coordinate
measurement technologies, portable/wearable computers,
wireless communications, high speed networking, temporal
project databases, web-based data analysis, and 3D user
interfaces to provide as-is and as-built component data
at the actual, construction site. These same techniques
may prove useful for planning and execution of
construction operations on other planets. Present
research is focused on developing compact, rugged,
wireless part status managers, interoperability
protocols for data transmission, and 3D site visualizers
which reflect the current state of tracked components on
the construction site. Ultimately, these field
measurements will be used to generate automated material
acceptance and payment transactions, damaged component
rejection notices, and production rate change requests
to fabricators. This paper discusses the methods
employed to achieve this capability in a prototype
system.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899