Exosuits: A Rising Star in Construction Safety

Posted by Steadfast Entities on

Due to the extreme physicality of their job, it’s no surprise that as many as 30% of construction workers end up missing work due to back injuries. The long hours, repetitive movements, unequal lifting, and heavy tool belts make construction the number one occupation resulting in lower back pain. However, new technology is offering hope to the backs of construction crews, health care workers, soldiers, and agricultural workers everywhere in the form of exosuits.

What are they?

Exosuits, sometimes called exoskeletons, are wearable frameworks that provide back and joint support and lower the forces that can lead to injury, chronic pain, and fatigue. Exosuits have been around since the 1960s, but their bulk and rigid structure restricted movement and made working in tight spaces difficult. Despite the better physical support for users, this inability to complete their jobs quickly and efficiently led many workers to abandon their use. 

Exosuit creators have been listening to feedback, and many new models appeared on the market in the last several years, with even more technological enhancements expected to appear by 2025. 

Types of Exosuits

“Soft-shell” suits, also called soft exosuits, are becoming popular because they provide extended mobility while still providing support. Corporations like Toyota and Walmart have started testing new suits with sensors that alert workers when they’re engaging in risky movements. These suits also collect data that give employers insight into which jobs and tasks pose the highest risk of injury. If successful, employers could then use this data to improve workplace design and equipment.  

New robotic exosuits are also expected to revolutionize the construction industry. Originally designed by the military and later used in healthcare, these suits might make you think of Tony Stark and Ironman. Consisting of a metal framework fitted with motorized muscles, these suits multiply the wearer’s strength, making objects feel significantly lighter and leading to fewer injuries on the jobsite.

Suits also come in two categories: passive, which means there are no batteries, actuators or motors to assist with physical activity; or active, with technology that takes on some of the load for the wearer. Some examples of passive suits include overhead exosuits that offer neck, shoulder, and arm support while workers perform overhead installation work, and chairless chairs, which lock in place to support workers who are crouching or standing in the same position for a long period of time. 

Active suits might include arm support limbs that let workers lift heavy tools, as well as full body suits that use compressed air to take most of the lifting load off the wearer. 

The Future of Exosuits

While most employers would jump at the opportunity to keep their workers safe and compliant, the cost of exosuits has often been a deterrent. However, exosuit prices have been dropping since 2015. As technology gets better and more affordable, it’s only a matter of time before every construction site adopts this powerful tech. 

Whether it’s active or passive, soft-shell or robotic, we’re excited to see how exosuit technology will continue to expand, creating new and innovative ways to protect our workers and make sure your projects are done on time, every time. 

Recycled Asphalt and Vegetable Oil: How the City of Phoenix Created a Recipe for Success

Posted by Steadfast Entities on

While mixing recycled asphalt and vegetable oil probably won’t make you popular in the kitchen, it has made an Arizona city one of the first to use recycled asphalt (RAP) on city roads and highways. 

Being the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States with a population of over 4.8 million people and 1,400 miles of paved road, Phoenix spends a lot of time and money repairing its major passageways. One way to save the city some money? Recycled asphalt. 

Misconceptions about the durability of RAP, as well as a lack of shared research, have led many in road construction to overlook it as a more efficient means of paving laned roads. Solterra Materials, a Phoenix-based asphalt mix company, was convinced that it could be used and began performing a series of experiments mixing RAP with various rejuvenators. Eventually, they landed on the perfect recipe: RAP, Cargill’s engineered vegetable oil-based Anova® rejuvenator, and a slight asphalt grade bump.

Working in tandem with the city, Solterra procured a one-mile section of road in a highly industrial, heavily trafficked area for their testing. There they evaluated RAP properties at 10%, 15% and 20%, and worked closely with the Cargill team to add the exact amount of rejuvenator. The results found that the 20% RAP mix performed as well as virgin mixes, and had a 10% cost savings. It showed a flexibility index increase from 12 to 18.5 as measured by the I-fit, and had enhanced low temperature cracking resistance. 

After seeing the results, it was a no-brainer for the City of Phoenix. Beyond its great performance, the 20% RAP mix also uses less energy, takes up less landfill space and ultimately costs taxpayers less money. They have included RAP in their standard paving strategy, and plan to start paving more roads with the mix this month. They’ll continue to monitor the performance of these roads over the next several months, but all those involved expect to see continued satisfaction. 

Thanks to companies like Solterra materials sharing their research, perceptions around recycled asphalt are beginning to shift. As a company that prides itself in green building and the most efficient use of resources, Steadfast is thrilled to see moves like this being made in the asphalt industry. With the high performance, lower cost, and increased environmental friendliness, we expect it won’t be long until RAP starts making it way to those of us on the East Coast. When it does, we’ll be happy to see it.

Technology Improves Project Safety

Posted by Steadfast Entities on

There’s no doubt that advances in technology have made our lives easier. From medicine to smart phones, we’re right in the middle of the technology revolution! The heavy equipment world is no different. Check out these 4 innovations that have helped improve project safety dramatically in recent years.

No More Taglines

The modern crane assistance device Torquer offers a patented remote-controlled orientation system, HALO (Hands free Autonomous Load Orientation). The tool eliminates the need for taglines or workers directing from the ground, so fewer workers will be injured in accidents. Easy to install and operate, with a 20Te capacity, this is one technology to watch out for!

Identify Risk Early

Flipping the switch over to high-tech, new Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities allow trained computers to identify risk factors on a job site before anyone sets foot on it, during work, and after construction. One AI engine, “Vinnie,” analyzed millions of job site photos and videos to then be able to recognize hazards like standing water, ladders, lack of protective equipment, material and structural defects, and more. 

Willmott trials robotic exoskeleton vest on live site | Construction News

Protect Workers

Robotic, powered exoskeletons will dramatically change the construction industry by lifting the burden off workers, site managers, and recruiters alike. Imagine Iron Man, but without the evil villians – this wearable exoskeleton allows a single individual to match the productivity of a whole team while avoiding injuries or accidents. Reducing the load on the individual also opens up the role to a wider range of individuals, expanding diversity in the field and helping recruiters. 

Aerial Drone Inspections

Drones are utilized more and more in the construction world to view and assess the structural integrity of work sites and cranes. Drones also help workers reach small spaces, see potential obstacles or hazards, and identify needed equipment or materials. Having better visuals on the front side allows projects to run more smoothly and safely. 

Technology is advancing every day and we can’t wait to see what new tools come out next!

The Future of Augmented Reality

Posted by Steadfast Entities on with 9 Comments

What is it?

Augmented Reality or AR is an interactive digital experience overlaid onto a surrounding real-world environment. The physical surroundings are enhanced by computer-generated imagery or information. While this technology has been in use for decades in video games (for example, Pokémon GO), AR has left the entertainment sphere behind over the past 15 years! Recent predictions showed the AR global market was expected to grow $90 billion by 2020.

AR is an especially exciting new construction technology trend thanks to the multitude of streamlined applications it presents. Engineers, project managers, contractors, and more can benefit from using this advanced camera and sensor technology. 

So how does it work?

“This amazing technology increases accuracy and efficiency by reducing errors related to managing time, money, and resources,” says eSub Construction Software.   

One example is Building Information Modeling (BIM), an intelligent 3D model-based process that provides architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the resources to more efficiently and effectively design, construct, and manage infrastructure. Various other versions of this and other AR construction technology apply to almost every facet of design, construction, and site management:

  • Augmented reality gear and wearables like smart glasses and Microsoft’s Halolens can measure a space’s physical elements, including depth, height, and width without the need for measuring equipment, ladders, or lifts. 
  • Morpholio is an app used by architects to more accurately design a project. 
  • Mixed reality applications can also show underground construction, preventing expensive and dangerous work accidents or delays. 
  • Safety and inspections are more accurate with AR. 

How does it affect me?

If you’re a project manager or executive, augmented reality construction technology could help streamline and improve almost every stage of your job, from design and coordination to implementation and ongoing project oversight. Plan with accurate measurements, predict and account for obstacles, improve efficiency, reduce wasted labor and materials, and stack up incredible long-term cost savings.

There are countless benefits for the individual contractors as well. Augmented technology could lead to better health and safety outcomes on the job site, faster yet more effective training, and the tools needed for better on-the-job performance.

Building the Future

There’s no doubt that the future of construction technology includes extensive use of augmented reality software. From contractors to executives, it’s a no-brainer to adopt more modernized operations. It will be exciting to see where construction technology takes us next! 

Follow our blog to get the latest industry updates and news or connect with Steadfast on LinkedIn.