In the ever-evolving world of construction and property development, the integration of advanced technology is revolutionizing how projects are managed and executed. One standout innovation being utilized at the Residences at Chestnut Street project is Didge, a self-driving robot from Nextera Robotics. This remarkable device is not just a gadget; it is a powerful tool that enhances efficiency, safety and quality assurance on jobsites.
Didge is equipped with state-of-the-art technology designed to assist construction teams in monitoring and reporting on jobsites. Its capabilities include capturing 360° photos, generating automated progress reports, measuring lumens in different areas, assessing wetness, and tracking jobsite safety. We are using Didge to streamline and enhance these tasks on a daily basis.
- 360° Photography: Didge has captured comprehensive visual documentation of our entire project. The resulting images allows our project team, the owner and the architect to gain a complete perspective of progress in every apartment unit and all common spaces. At the touch of a button, these 360° images can be compared to the exact perspective from weeks and months ago, allowing us to see the space at every step of construction
- Automated Progress Reports: The robot’s ability to create automated reports streamlines communication and reduces the time spent on manual documentation. These reports can include insights on MEPF and finishes progress, ensuring that schedules are adhered to and any delays are identified quickly.
- Illumination Measurement: Didge measures the lumens in each area of the building, providing critical data that contributes to planning, energy efficiency and ensuring safety standards are maintained.
- Wetness Assessment: One of the standout features of Didge is its ability to track wetness in different areas. This information is crucial, particularly in ensuring that materials are stored correctly, and that construction progresses without delays due to water damage.
- Safety Tracking: Jobsite safety is paramount at PC. Didge helped us monitor safety protocols and practices and assess compliance with regulations. Real-time data regarding safety conditions allowed our teams to react promptly to potential hazards.
Through the use of this technology, we streamlined typical processes that traditionally require significant manual labor. Typically, an office engineer would spend considerable time photographing each unit from various angles as the project progressed. With Didge, we automated this process, saving a tremendous amount of time and freeing up his time to focus on other more critical tasks.
In addition, when we encountered a need for a design change in the mechanical closets in each unit, we used Didge to assess the layout of all the MEP piping concealed within the walls. This capability enabled us to make informed decisions about design alterations while avoiding conflicts with existing infrastructure.
Click play above to see some of the exciting things Didge is helping us with!
As technology continues to advance, the role of robots like Didge represents a new era of construction management that prioritizes quality and strategic oversight. The efficiency gains and quality improvements offered by automated solutions are undeniable, paving the way for smarter builds and safer jobsites.