Project Summary
Demographic trends in Europe are posing a challenge to the construction sector, which is facing labour shortage, and an aging existing workforce. This can be addressed through the integrated adoption of breakthrough technologies, e.g. autonomous vehicles, collaborative robotics, additive manufacturing, smart wearables, digital twin, and artificial intelligence, which can help to get construction tasks done with more efficacy, while at the same time making the sector more attractive to young people, and improving the safety, productivity, quality and environmental impact of construction projects. BEEYONDERS will take a leap forward in the design, development, and integration of these breakthrough technologies in real construction scenarios, bringing together the capabilities of European stakeholders, thus also demonstrating how the dependency on technology import from outside Europe can be reduced. Solutions will be developed for supporting the integration of autonomous and tele-operated, ground and aerial robotic platforms and heavy equipment in harsh environments. Innovative additive manufacturing solutions will be developed for resource optimization and for protection of biodiversity in maritime works. Safety, wellbeing, and training of workers will be improved through the development of exoskeletons, advanced wearables, and learning resources supported by XR technologies. A Digital Twin enriched with AI-based layers for decision-making will support seamless integration and management of all Project technologies. These will be tested and validated in 6 demonstration case studies covering different project typologies: tunnels, earthworks for road construction, buildings, maritime infrastructures, and road maintenance. BEEYONDERS impact will be evaluated both from the point of view of users acceptance (e.g. benefits for aging workforce, attraction of young workers, contribution to gender balance in construction) and environment.
Scientific Output/Outcome Expected From the Project
BEEYONDERS’ KERS (Key Exploitable Results) are;
1. A methodology to measure the impact of digital and new technologies in construction processes.
2. An autonomous / teleoperated wheel loader.
3. An autonomous drone tailored to flight in non-GPS areas and adapted to underground works.
4. An autonomous ground mobile platform for inspection and maintenance tasks of large areas.
5. Optimized and bio-compatible mortars adapted to 3D-printing for maritime ecosystems.
6. 3D printing equipment capable of working in vertical walls of caisson formworks for maritime construction.
7. An exoskeleton capable of assisting both the lower-back and the arms in a unique device.
8. Wearables integrated in Personal Protective Equipment for worker H&S and monitoring.
9. Construction Digital Twin platform and added value services.
10. Learning and training platforms incorporating virtual reality and connection with digital solutions.
Target Group of the Project
-End-users (contractors, technology providers…)
-Specific Target Group of SMEs
-Specific Target Group of construction professionals
-General public
-Scientific community
-Policy makers
Importance of the project in Tackling Global Challenges
Drones and ground autonomous vehicles will be used for automate inspection, maintenance and surveillance tasks in the construction sector. A positive environmental impact will be achieved through the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions thanks to the replacement of conventional vehicles.
Scientific/Social/Economic Innovative Contribution
Scientific: New and relevant knowledge will be generated around technological aspects (see KERs) and non-technological aspects that will be broadly disseminated and communicated by several means including scientific publications and reports. It is expected that the project through the D&C activities will reach more than 10.000 professionals and interested people during project´s life. The project will implement an Open Access policy to ensure that the knowledge generated can make an impact in the scientific community.
Societal: From an environmental perspective, notably lower climate impact (estimated and measured) of construction (including through material sourcing and waste management). First estimation: to lower 11% CO2 emissions. From a social perspective, safer construction worksites and increased wellbeing of their workers because of the advances achieved in wearables, exoskeletons and previous technologies and the application of AI strategies. It is estimated a reduction of sick leaves due to lower back injuries, at least of 50% of current ones, increasing any gender/age workers endurance at least, by 20%.
Economic: BEEYONDERS estimates to achieve a global 14% improvement of efficiency in production considering the implementation of BEEYONDERS solutions in different construction processes. This figure comes from savings estimated in the different case studies (10- 12% save time in tunnels works; 10M€ savings in maritime works related to automated piles; 10% fuel consumption reduction duet to automation; or 50-70% savings in inspection and maintenance of roads).
Contribution to the Development of Professional Skills
Potential present and future end-users of the solutions will be at the heart of the OS approach. The learning resources involving multiplayer user-centric active and serious gaming learning environment employing case studies’ data available from the Digital Twin will be specially promoted among construction workers and students around the case studies to involve them in the co-creation and co-validation of the solutions.
Contribution to the Development of Human Resources
Within the scope of the project, autonomous work machines, digital twin and artificial intelligence etc. technological developments in these fields will contribute to the development of human resources in terms of quality and quantity in sectors operating in this context.
Information about other partners in the project
- ACCIONA CONSTRUCCION SA – Coordinator (İspanya)
- FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION (İspanya)
- INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO DE ARAGON (İspanya)
- PNO INNOVATION SL (İspanya)
- FUNDACION ANDALUZA PARA EL DESARROLLO AEROESPACIAL (İspanya)
- STAM SRL (İtalya)
- FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA (İtalya)
- EUROPEAN BUILDERS CONFEDERATION (Belçika)
- CENTRE SCIENTIFIQUE ET TECHNIQUE DU BATIMENT (Fransa)
- HOLCIM INNOVATION CENTER SAS (Fransa)
- FONDAZIONE ICONS (İtalya)
- HIDROMEK-HIDROLIK VE MEKANIK MAKINA IMALAT SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI (Türkiye)
- INFRA PLAN KONZALTNIG JDOO ZA USLUGE (Hırvatistan)
- AISCAT SERVIZI SRL (İtalya)
- DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET (Danimarka)
- TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY (Finlandiya)
- CAIDIO OY (Finlandiya)
- FIRA GROUP OY (Finlandiya)
- SITEDRIVE OY (Finlandiya)
- FIRA OY (Finlandiya)
- COBOD INTERNATIONAL A/S (Danimarka)
- SEABOOST (Fransa)
- INGEO BV (Hollanda)
