Connected and Autonomous Plant (CAP) could save the construction industry billions according to the latest Costain report
Costain have published a report for the Department of Transport, detailing CAP as being able to save billions.
The report, “Connected and Autonomous Plant: Market Analysis,” defines CAP as “a collective term for leading-edge construction equipment that leverages interconnected digital technologies and autonomous functionalities to optimise construction processes.”
Adopting CAP would improve productivity
The report concludes that adopting CAP would bring performance, safety, environmental, and financial benefits. The report estimates that adopting CAP would add £417bn in value to the industry, including £356bn across the whole of construction, leaving £61bn to broaden the economy.
The report has an ambitious vision of the future with CAP fully adopted, with most tasks on worksites being autonomous, and fully integrated AI controlling most machinery. The human presence on site will be higher skilled, with roles mostly consisting of design and supervision.
The boosts to sustainability and efficiency would give the construction industry what many would argue to be a desperately needed lift. Adoption of CAP is estimated to reduce CO2e by 19,300kt, and save £10bn in fuel energy costs.
Scaling up will be required to achieve these goals
Managing director of transportation at Costain, Jonathan Willcock, said: “Infrastructure investment – particularly in transportation – is recognised as a pathway to national growth and prosperity. However, with myriad competing pressures on public spending, this investment must demonstrate value for money and maximise productivity.
“Connected and autonomous plant has the potential to transform the productivity of construction activities and, in turn, give a significant boost to the UK economy over the coming decades. Importantly, the technology will also play a key role in encouraging greener and safer ways of working, as well as creating more high-skilled jobs for the workforce.
“We’re already seeing CAP being deployed on projects across the country, but in order to scale up and achieve the benefits faster, there needs to be a shift in thinking to embrace this technology and drive positive change.”
