Published:  3.2.2020

Finnish company Aiforsite Oy (formerly Bliot Oy) seeks to digitalise the construction sector by offering its clients a range of technological solutions aimed at developing and enhancing the efficiency of site operations.

Tuomas Lackman, System Specialist at Aiforsite, explains that the construction sector is still firmly rooted in tradition and has fallen behind in automation.

“As a sector, it has massive potential for improving efficiency. Many of its methods are unchanged from the 1970s and 80s. The digitalisation of work sites will have enormous benefits. For example, progress on the site can be tracked smarter, safer and with better precision,” says Lackman.

Intelligent systems for tracking concrete harding

The model offered by Aiforsite, digitalisation as a service, makes it easier for customers to get on board with technological development.

“We supply a comprehensive system in which each component is installed by a real person, who then communicates with the site on a weekly basis.”

Our service packages include, for instance, concrete measurements using a totally new kind of technology. For the measurements, Aiforsite uses the so-called Internet of Things, a network for connecting the instruments.

“The IoT network provided by Digita allows us to perform on-site measurements in real time. At the moment, we monitor tasks such as concrete casts.”

In practice, this means that a sensor is installed in the cast to measure the moisture and temperature of concrete. The sensors transmit data at set intervals, either directly to Digita’s network or via an auxiliary base station.

“After a sensor is installed, it continues to provide frequent and real-time data, eliminating the need for technicians to visit the site for manual measurements. This alone saves in costs.”

Aiforsite also uses algorithms to predict concrete hardening.

“We can use measurement data and algorithms to analyse how the concrete will develop over months and estimate when it is sufficiently dry. No other methods allow this possibility. Accurate predictions also make it easier to schedule operations at sites,” Lackman explains.

Cost savings through site automation

Sensors connected to an IoT network can also measure indoor air humidity and temperature, pressure differences and vibration.

Established in 2016, Aiforsite has discovered an enthusiastic market for its services.

“As we began sales, we got in touch with six construction companies, all of whom ended up buying our services. We also continue to receive orders for our clients’ new sites. Our aim is that within three months, our clients see three to four-fold returns on the cost of our services. The importance of construction site automation is easy to argue ‒ the savings in costs are simply that clear.”

Aiforsite Oy (formerly Bliot Oy) changed its name on 5 April 2019.