Abstract
The chapter embarked on a comprehensive exploration of robotic process automation (RPA) and its merge with building information modeling (BIM) in revolutionizing the construction industry. By investigating the applications, benefits, challenges, and opportunities associated with RPA and its integration with BIM, this research has shed light on the immense potential for transforming productivity, efficiency, safety, decision-making, and sustainability in construction processes. Moreover, the merge of RPA with BIM represents a paradigm shift in collaboration, data management, and decision-making within the construction industry. By combining the strengths of these two transformative technologies, stakeholders can achieve unprecedented levels of coordination, efficiency, and accuracy throughout the project lifecycle. RPA, when integrated with BIM, empowers real-time monitoring, safety analysis, clash detection, risk assessment, and advanced simulations, allowing for proactive identification and resolution of issues.
TopRobotic Process Automation (Rpa)
Automation is an ascending trend in Business and Information Systems Engineering. Since the latest developments in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science are becoming more and more outstanding, one question appears in mind: What should be automated?
In this case, it is better to take a look at Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA is made out of tools that interact with different computer systems’ user interface to operate commands in a way that a human being would do. RPA tools seamlessly integrate with existing digital infrastructure, interacting with application programming interfaces (API), client servers, mainframes, or even HTML code (Gartner Inc., 2017). They automate workflows by executing commands on structured data and following pre-defined logic (“if, then, else” statements) outlined in the RPA tool's language (Gartner Inc., 2017). This relieves human employees from monotonous tasks, enabling them to focus on meaningful and value-adding activities
Key Terms in this Chapter
Robotic Process Automation (RPA): RPA allows us to use software robots to automate repetitive digital tasks, freeing up human workers and boosting efficiency. Unlike AI, it cannot make decisions.
Application Programming Interface (API): APIs act as intermediaries that facilitate seamless communication and data exchange between disparate software systems, fostering communication and innovation in the digital landscape.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): It can be said that AI mimics human intelligence for solving problems. The field is the active research and development of these intelligent agents.
Building Information Modelling (BIM): BIM digitally represents a building's entire lifecycle, encompassing geometry, spatial relationships, and embedded data, enabling informed decision-making throughout design, construction, and operation. This data-rich approach facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration and unlocks transformative potential for enhanced project predictability, performance, and sustainability.
Natural Language Processing (NLP): It bridges the human-computer gap by employing computational techniques to analyze and manipulate human language, encompassing tasks like understanding meaning and generating human-like text.
Construction Management: It orchestrates the project end-to-end, from planning and budgeting to quality control and safety. It ensures successful completion within scope, time, and budget.
Data Quality: It measures how “fit-for-purpose” the information is, encompassing its accuracy, completeness, and relevance for its intended use.