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    • Smart Construction: Building the Future Infrastructure with Technology

    In an Aging Era, the Construction Industry Faces a Critical Challenge
    Aging populations are having a serious impact across all industries worldwide, but the construction sector is one of the most directly and immediately affected. Traditionally reliant on physical labor, skilled craftsmanship, and high-risk, on-site operations, the construction industry is particularly sensitive to changes in the age distribution and health of its workforce.

    As such, in an era of rapidly aging populations—not only in countries like Japan and South Korea but globally—the construction industry is confronting a major crisis.

    Take Japan, for example. Over 35% of construction workers in Japan are aged 55 or older, while only 11% are under 29. South Korea is no different. According to the Construction Industry Institute of Korea, as of 2024, nearly 50% of construction workers are over 50, with tens of thousands of skilled workers retiring each year, while new entrants to the field remain critically low. Young people tend to avoid the industry due to long working hours, hazardous environments, and weak systems for passing down expertise. The result is a threefold dilemma: stagnating productivity, increasing labor intensity, and a breakdown in the transmission of skills.

    This structural crisis is virtually impossible to resolve through workforce replenishment alone. It is highly unlikely that the younger generation will return to an industry that seems physically demanding and lacking in future prospects. Furthermore, importing foreign labor introduces challenges such as cost, language barriers, and safety management. As the reality of a construction model that cannot be sustained by human labor alone becomes more evident, the industry must now construct its own survival strategy through technology.

    Japan’s i-Construction Strategy: Replacing Human Labor with Technology
    Japan is one of the first countries to recognize and systematically respond to this labor crisis. Since 2015, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has been advancing a national smart construction strategy under the banner of “i-Construction,” actively promoting the integration of drones, AI, IoT, and autonomous equipment to digitally transform the construction sector. This approach goes beyond mere experimentation with technology; it involves restructuring the industry as a whole by revising public procurement standards, establishing talent development systems, and reinforcing public-private cooperation.

    A prime example is the smart construction platform developed by Komatsu. This company collects 3D terrain data using drones, then transmits the information to autonomous excavators or bulldozers, enabling automated land grading. Branded as “Smart Construction,” the platform allows site managers and engineers to monitor all processes in real time via the cloud.

    For instance, in the Katokatsu industrial complex project in eastern Hokkaido, the system reduced construction time by over 30%, cut labor needs by more than 50%, and minimized safety risks compared to traditional methods. In another case, during a highway expansion on the outskirts of Tokyo, autonomous dump trucks transported materials along designated routes while AI systems analyzed schedules and potential hazards in advance, allowing for uninterrupted construction.

    Another noteworthy example is the restoration project of the Obiyama Dam. Instead of deploying elderly workers, remotely operated construction robots were used. Robotic arms controlled from a barge on the water precisely performed crack repairs in confined spaces, and IoT sensors measured structural deformation and pressure in real time, converting this information into usable data. This method not only reduced risk but also offered a reliable alternative to skilled human labor.

    Believing that these technological adoptions could strengthen national competitiveness, the Japanese government is gradually mandating i-Construction technologies in over 80% of public works. This strategy has proven particularly effective in remote or labor-scarce regions.

    Korea’s Response: A Digital-Based Construction Innovation Roadmap
    South Korea, facing similar demographic shifts and productivity stagnation in the construction industry, is also focusing on smart construction. In 2020, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced its “Digital-Based Construction Innovation Roadmap,” aiming for full-scale technological transformation by 2030. The roadmap includes measurable goals: a 25% reduction in construction time, a 50% decrease in accidents, and a 30% boost in productivity.

    This strategy is yielding visible results, aided by the concurrent efforts of private companies in technological development.

    Hyundai E\&C has developed an “Integrated Site Control Platform” that analyzes worker movements, equipment status, and material input in real time using cloud-based systems. In partnership with SeoulTech University, the company has incorporated an AI-based risk prediction algorithm capable of detecting potential falls or collisions before they occur, issuing real-time alerts to workers.

    Doosan Bobcat has developed a self-driving mini excavator, which was successfully test-run at a logistics site in Pyeongtaek. The machine uses GPS, LiDAR, and video recognition technologies to compare design plans with real-world conditions and perform precise land leveling.

    Hanwha E\&C is combining drone-based rapid surveying with AI-generated construction simulations to operate digital twin-based construction sites. In a marine infrastructure project in Busan, the system adapted construction strategies in real time based on wave height and weather conditions, delivering significant performance gains.

    The Korean government is also building a “Smart Construction Support Center” in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. This center will serve as a critical hub for testing and commercializing private sector technologies, featuring 5G-enabled autonomous equipment test beds, simulation training zones, and BIM design talent development programs.

    Key Technologies Enabling Smart Construction
    Smart construction is realized through a convergence of advanced technologies. While each technology is meaningful on its own, their combined use generates synergy that is transforming the entire construction paradigm.

    1. Drone-Based Surveying
    * Equipped with precision optical cameras and GPS, drones can survey tens of hectares of land within minutes.
    * Example: Komatsu in Japan has established a workflow that links drone surveys to 3D terrain modeling and then to autonomous equipment.

    2. BIM/CIM Technologies
    * BIM is used for buildings, and CIM for civil infrastructure. They digitize all structural information—from design to maintenance—for real-time management.
    * Example: The Munich Airport expansion project in Germany used BIM to reduce design changes by over 70% and construction errors by more than 50%.

    3. Autonomous Construction Equipment
    * Excavators, bulldozers, and dump trucks equipped with GPS and sensors can perform precision work without human operators.
    * Example: At an LNG storage site in northern Boston, autonomous bulldozers performed 24-hour unmanned terrain grading.

    4. 3D-Printed Construction
    * Structural components such as walls and roofs can be printed directly on-site, saving labor and minimizing waste.
    * Example: Portions of the Dubai city government offices were built using 3D printing, reducing construction costs by 70% and duration by 50%.

    5. Digital Twins and AI Analytics
    * A digital twin—a virtual replica of a physical site—enables accident prediction, weather adaptation, and scheduling optimization.
    * Example: In Singapore’s port expansion, AI-optimized construction sequences shortened the project timeline by eight months.

    Strategic Approaches Worldwide
    Nations around the world are incorporating smart construction not only as a tool to enhance industrial competitiveness but also as part of broader national strategies.

    * United States: The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act sparked large-scale investment in smart highways, autonomous bridge-inspection drones, and AI-based safety management technologies.

    * China: CSCEC, the world’s largest construction firm, has adopted autonomous tower cranes and AI-driven foundation robots. Digital twin-based construction systems are being applied in smart city projects outside Beijing.

    * European Union: BIM adoption is mandatory for all public construction projects. European construction equipment manufacturers are focusing on ESG-compliant electric autonomous machinery.

    * Middle East: The UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in building new cities like NEOM using smart construction technologies.

    Smart Construction Is Not Just Technology—It’s a Survival Strategy
    Smart construction is not merely a result of technological progress. It is a comprehensive response to the compound challenges we face today—shifting demographics, labor shortages, environmental regulations, urbanization, and the climate crisis. It is not about excluding humans, but about sharing the industrial burden that has become too heavy for people alone to bear.

    Going forward, the construction industry will continue to evolve through automation, AI-driven management, digital simulation, and eco-friendly methods, paving the way for infrastructure that is fast, precise, and safe. This transformation will go beyond boosting efficiency—it will help build the foundation for sustainable cities, inclusive employment, and digital infrastructure economies in the future.