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Abstract
This thesis reviews issues facing the construction industry and some of the strategies for addressing them. The thesis focuses on the development of automation technology and its potential for solving problems of productivity, safety, quality, and skilled labor shortages.
The most important step in developing automation technology is selecting appropriate tasks to automate. The new technology must be compatible with design, management capabilities, labor practices, and existing field operations. The thesis introduces a taxonomy of the construction industry, in which the industry is broken into several levels of increasing detail. The thesis proposes that automation should be introduced at the Basic Task level. The thesis defines a set of eleven Basic Tasks from which all construction field work is composed. The Basic Tasks are prioritized for suitability for automation based on technology, productivity, safety, quality, and labor acceptance.
As an example of technology to improve the Basic Task Position, or heavy lifting, the CRANIUM crane mounted video system is developed. The CRANIUM extends the sensory capacity of the crane operator by allowing him to see the crane's load at all times and/or have visual contact with the craftsmen receiving the load. A full scale, fully operational prototype has been designed, fabricated, and field tested. Productivity improvements in excess of 20% are reported for some applications. The CRANIUM also improves safety and has been well received by labor and management. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)