WorldWide Drilling Resource

What Role Will Wearables Have in the Construction Industry? Adapted from Information by CONEXPO-CON/AGG Wearable devices are expected to play a more pivotable role in the future, which is expected to impact the way the con- struction industry conducts business. A recent report by ABI Research shows globally and across all device types, wearable device shipments will increase from nearly 202 million in 2016, to 501 million by 2021. The report predicts field services will represent one of the most tangible near-term opportunity for enterprise wearable shipments. Wearables can help minimize unplanned downtime in the workforce, but the type of wearable to be most readily adopted remains dependent upon the specific industry or the use to which it caters, according to ABI Research. For example, smart glasses or HUDs (heads-up displays) will drive enterprise wearable technology as Internet technology and operational technology merge. In the construction industry, wearable devices offer a combination of challenges and benefits. Chief among these is safety. While many construction executives are concerned with the safety implications of using wearable devices at the jobsite, others recognize wearables can actually address some of these safety concerns. Carol Hagen, owner, Hagen Business Solutions, suggests construction professionals should be ordering wearables to ad- dress safety, and points to five wearable devices contractors should have in their “wearable toolbox” for safety at the construc- tion jobsite. These include: _ ZIPPKOOL ® - These products are designed to create airflow surrounding the body so sweat vaporizes quickly, preventing the body from exerting an excess amount of sweat. It is designed for industries which require cooling jackets to keep workers healthy while at the jobsite. _ Spot-r: This is a sensor platform that measures slips, trips, and falls in realtime, while also tracking each worker’s location on the jobsite. Incidents are captured and transmitted in realtime, showing the data on devices. Upon exiting the jobsite, the system stops recording data and the worker is clocked out. _ Redpoint Positioning: This is an indoor GPS (global-positioning system) for the construction industry. It combines wearable technology, mobile, wire- less, and RFID (radio-frequency identification) to stay on top of operations and know where people and assets are located in realtime. _ XOeye: This system equips field technicians with wearable technology systems to capture and share the right informa- tion, with the right people, at the right time. By learning workflows and processes, the technology can be used to share in- formation. For instance, field service workers can be equipped with safety eyewear devices which run applications to communicate with decision makers. _ APXlabs: This company builds software for smartglasses, offering solutions for various industries such as field service. The wearables give workers immediate validation of actions in the field and enable a team to coordinate every step of the process. Certainly, there are many other widely discussed devices construction companies should keep in mind for the future. Some which come to mind for most in the con- struction industry are wearable hard hats such as the Smart Helmet from Daqri, and HoloLens from Microsoft. What do construction companies really need to know and consider when selecting and implementing wearable devices in the future? For one, the cost benefits will be key to determining if it is a worthwhile investment. “You may find these technologies not only win you more work and increase productivity, but make it easier to recruit and retain talent with measurable workforce development benefits,” Hagen concluded. 7 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® FEBRUARY 2019 A specially patented fabric prevents air from exit- ing, allowing it to circulate; a patented super light- weight fan blows up to five gallons of air per sec- ond. Photo courtesy of ZIPPKOOL ® . C&G Over 50% of the world’s population lives within 60 miles of a sea coast.