{"data":{"news":{"items":[{"title":"BCA, IMDA call for proposals for robotics and automation solutions","date":"2021-09-14 11:29:10","id":3093,"author":"","blurb":"","blurb_image_uid":"https://dxfpracgmlczp.cloudfront.net/2021/09/1631593203859_IBEW-CEOs-Keynote2.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"\n\t\n\n\n

Singapore’s government has announced a new initiative to encourage the adoption of robotics and automation (R&A) solutions to improve productivity and reduce labour dependency in the local built environment (BE) sector.

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Speaking at the ‘CEOs in Conversation’ during the recent International Built Environment Week (IBEW) 2021, Minister of State for National Development and Communications and Information, Tan Kiat How, invited R&A solution providers to participate in the Call for Proposals (CFP) for Integrated Robotics & Automation solutions by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

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“The government, through the BCA and IMDA scheme, will be supporting our built environment firms to adopt these solutions. These are commercially available solutions, for example, material transporter robots, precast automation systems, drones for facade inspections, and so on. We will be supporting up to 80% of qualifying costs to adopt these solutions,” said Mr Tan.

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He explained that the launch of this initiative is “not just supporting our firms to adopt commercially available solutions, increasing productivity, and raising our standards. It is also about investing in early stage technology – R&D, for tomorrow.

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“One good example is 3D concrete printing by HDB, with partners like NTU, Robin Village Development and Witteveen+Bos. 3D concrete printing reduces manpower for volumetric production and improves productivity at the worksite. But the technology is still very nascent. That is why HDB is taking the lead at the Centre of Building Research, to understand the technology, bringing in partners together to build an ecosystem, understand how it can be used and applied in Singapore for the future.”
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\n“Another example of things we are working on is 5D BIM,” added Mr Tan. “I asked what is 5D BIM because it is the first time I have heard about it. I was told it is 3D BIM with the time component and the cost and budget component added. It harnesses computational power to automate workflows, and lets planners and developers and builders make better decisions, better predict material and labour costs, and supports tasks like planning, budget control, progressive payments, etc.

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“All these tasks can be automated, and we can do things better. BCA is working with Hubble Pte Ltd and Rider Levett Bucknall on this project. This is one example of how we are investing in R&D under the Cities of Tomorrow (CoT) programme. So, for companies and solution providers, if you have got a good idea and need R&D support or partnerships, please let us know.”

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R&A solution providers may register their interest and send their solution proposals to: info@imda.gov.sg.

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R&A initiative

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In its announcement, BCA pointed out that R&A will be a key enabler for industry transformation under the digitalisation pillar of the Construction Industry Transformation Map (ITM) supported by the Construction and Facilities Management Industry Digital Plan (IDP) for broad-based SMEs digitalisation.

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“Besides improving productivity, digitalisation can also help build up the BE sector’s resiliency. The current Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to accelerate adoption of R&A solutions to reduce dependency on low-skilled manpower,” said BCA.

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This latest R&A initiative is funded through IMDA’s Advanced Digital Solutions (ADS) support. Successful BE SMEs and larger enterprises will be provided with up to 80% funding support for qualifying costs to adopt these integrated solutions. BCA also encourages solution providers with ready R&A solutions to step forward and participate in the CFP.

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The R&A solutions would support BE enterprises, offering two major benefits: to reduce reliance on low-skilled manpower and increase productivity, and to improve safety at worksites.

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A). Reduce reliance on low-skilled manpower and increase productivity
\nThe ongoing Covid-19 situation has made it even more pertinent for the need to reduce reliance on low-skilled workers. Adoption of autonomous R&A solutions by BE firms can potentially bring long-term sustainable benefits to the firms and the BE sector.

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Potential R&A applications could help to improve productivity by automating and speeding up various labour-intensive and trade specific tasks like painting, drilling and carrying materials on-site.

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B). Improve safety at worksites
\nThe use of R&A solutions could automate trade-specific tasks and provide opportunities to improve workplace safety and health. Specifically, R&A could reduce the risk of falls from height and injuries associated with lifting and transporting heavy equipment within the worksites.

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Potential applications of R&A solutions include work at height such as facade maintenance and inspections.

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Ecosystem ready for R&A solution providers

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BCA has also put in place an ecosystem to support R&A solution providers from early research and innovation stages through to downstream deployment. Some supporting initiatives include :

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Built Environment Living Laboratory Framework (BE LLF)
\nThe programme was launched last year to facilitate test-bedding of R&A solutions in living laboratories, allowing built environment firms to trial new emerging technologies. According to BCA, more than 30 innovative proposals have been submitted by more than 10 companies. Examples of available test-bedding sites include Punggol Town and Jurong Lake Gardens.

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Building Innovation Panel (BIP)
\nThe programme was formed in 2011 as a multi-agency platform to facilitate in-principle acceptance (IPA) for innovative building solutions that may meet with some regulatory challenges. The scope of the BIP was expanded in 2019 to include areas like R&A, advanced and sustainable building materials, and green building technologies.

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According to BCA, the BIP has so far helped obtain IPAs for two R&A solutions, 52 prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) and 46 prefabricated bathroom unit (PBU) systems for adoption in local projects.

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One of the two R&A solutions that obtained IPA was an autonomous Robo-Carrier developed by Shimizu. Construction materials up to 1,000 kg in weight could be transported by the robot from the loading bay to the designated location (i.e. same floor or different floor based on a predetermined route planned by builders). The Robo-Carrier is projected to improve site productivity by at least 30% and will be deployed at Mount Alvernia Hospital Extension project in Q4 2021.

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Submit your proposals for R&A solutions: info@imda.gov.sg

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For more information:
\nBuilt Environment Living Laboratory Framework (BE LLF)
\nBuilding Innovation Panel (BIP)
\nIMDA’s Advanced Digital Solutions (ADS) support

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Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) and Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have inked two collaborations to develop and adopt 5G-enabled smart construction technologies, as well as to facilitate partnerships and commercialisation of the research outcomes developed by agencies under the Ministry of National Development (MND) for operational use. These collaborations were announced on Friday (26 Mar) at the Urban Sustainability R&D e-Symposia 2021 opening webinar.

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The first collaboration, a Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) between HDB and A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), aims to enable smarter construction by developing and adopting 5G-enabled robotic, drone and artificial intelligence technologies that can help raise productivity and improve safety at construction sites.

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The second collaboration is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between HDB and A*STAR to bring together the research community, agencies and industry partners to facilitate partnerships in technology transfer and translate R&D outcomes into commercially ready products.

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HDB’s CEO, Tan Meng Dui said, “As the master developer of public housing in Singapore, HDB constantly seeks to leverage innovative technologies and smart solutions that can help us deliver quality homes for Singaporeans. Through relentless research and innovation over the years, we have built up a wealth of knowledge in urban solutions for the built environment. We will continue to work closely with industry partners to accelerate technology transfer, so that the built environment sector can benefit from of our R&D outcomes.”

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“A*STAR is increasing its support of the Urban Solutions and Sustainability (USS) domain under Research-Innovation-Enterprise (RIE) 2025,” said Frederick Chew, CEO of A*STAR. “We are collaborating closely with HDB on introducing innovative technologies into the built environment sector, and catalysing more public sector collaboration with industry. We also aim to work with HDB to translate public sector R&D into positive impact on our society and economy, through such collaborations.”

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Smarter construction technologies

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In their joint statement, HDB and A*STAR explained that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the supply of building materials and manpower within the construction industry. This has put unprecedented pressure on the construction timelines of building projects across both the public and private sectors. There is thus a strong impetus for the industry to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and digitalisation to help build faster, safer and more efficiently.

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With the impending roll-out of 5G network in Singapore, there is an opportunity for greater use of automation and robotics in the construction sector, leveraging on 5G technology, to enhance productivity and reduce labour dependency.

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The collaboration between HDB and A*STAR’s I2R seeks to research and develop a system which will capture videos, images and data through the use of sensors on robots (legged and wheeled) and drones. Examples of how such information can be used to improve productivity include:

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Scanning and mapping of the construction environment to develop an up to date as-built model (i.e. exact rendering of the construction project as it is built) using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology; and
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Enhancing safety of the construction site through real-time video-streaming and surveillance of construction activities.
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In addition, HDB will study the possibility of employing drone fleets and robotics systems equipped with LiDAR laser scanning technology, to automate the scanning of actual physical built environments into a 3D as-built site model. Currently, the development of as-built models in the construction industry, which typically takes place when construction is nearing completion, is manual and labour-intensive. By deploying a fleet of drones and robotics systems that can intelligently monitor various aspects of a construction site, the entire process can be automated to enable onsite scanning and mapping of the construction site into a 3D as-built model. This will bring about savings in manpower and time.

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To allow the drones and robots to function smoothly, HDB will leverage 5G technology for its high data transmission rate and increased network capacity. A*STAR will develop a 5G modem prototype module with low latency and robust communication link, to enable onsite scanning and mapping of the site as the project is built, and real-time monitoring of activities at construction sites.

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According to both partners, most construction sites nowadays employ static CCTV systems to assist with site monitoring; however, as construction sites cover a large area, there may be spots which are not covered by the scope of the CCTVs.

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With that in mind, tapping on 5G technology, HDB will explore the deployment of cameras mounted on the drones and robotics systems, which would enable high-definition real-time videos of the site environment to be captured wirelessly. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies will be applied to the live video feeds, so that the system can automatically identify safety lapses and detect potentially unsafe behaviours and conditions at HDB construction sites in real time.

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When such lapses are detected, alerts can be immediately sent to the relevant personnel so swift action can be taken to rectify the situation and resolve the issue. This acts as a mobile monitoring system to augment the manual supervision by safety officers on site.

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To ascertain the performance of the system, trials will be conducted at a selected HDB construction site that has ready 5G coverage. The research study is expected to span 2.5 years. If the trials prove successful, HDB will consider extending the system to more construction sites.

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Facilitating partnerships in technology transfer

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Over the years, HDB has pioneered new and innovative solutions to provide residents with a quality living environment. To safeguard these solutions for continued use in HDB projects, HDB has filed over 30 patents for its in-house developed innovations, including the Prefabricated Extensive Green (PEG) roof tray system and the Floating Solar System (FSS).

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The PEG roof tray system was developed to intensify HDB’s greening efforts on rooftops. Besides deploying the system in HDB’s housing projects, HDB tied up with local firms, Eng Seng Tech Pte Ltd and Plantwerkz Pte Ltd, to commercialise the product in countries and cities such as China, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

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In its push to generate more clean energy and accelerate solar adoption in Singapore, HDB has also invented the FSS which supports solar panels on water bodies to harness solar energy. The FSS was adapted from a modular floating system known as the Floating Wetland System that was earlier patented by HDB for cultivating wetland plants. Following the successful test-bedding of the FSS in Tengeh Reservoir in Tuas, HDB collaborated with a local company, ISO Landscape Pte Ltd to deploy 5 MegaWatt-peak (MWp) FSS off the coast of Woodlands.

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The MOU between HDB and A*STAR seeks to forge closer partnerships among the research community, government agencies and industry partners over the next three years, to facilitate technology transfer and translate R&D outcomes into impactful solutions for Singapore, and potentially for cities around the world.

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With its prior experience in intellectual property (IP) management, HDB has been appointed as the lead agency for IP management and technology transfer, for the agencies under the Ministry of National Development. The MOU will tap on A*STAR’s expertise, connection with the industries and the local science and technology ecosystem, to facilitate collaborations to commercialise MND R&D outcomes and IPs.

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