What are Bluetooth and what type of its features, and what is used Bluetooth at an advanced level?
Low Energy Bluetooth, also known as Bluetooth LE or BLE, is a relatively new communication technology designed for use with devices connected to the Internet. Several sectors have already integrated BLE, such as healthcare, fitness centers, and security, and it is the turn of other fields to reap the full benefits of BLE. For example, BLE can help streamline on-site processes around automated construction inventories, theft prevention, and equipment performance management.
What is BLE?
BLE is a secure and straightforward wireless network technology that consumes less power and costs less than conventional Bluetooth while providing a similar communication range. It is supported by various operating systems such as iOS, Android, macOS, Linux and Windows 8, and more. Compared to other similar technologies, such as barcode scanning, GPS, WiFi, and RFID, BLE offers significant advantages in terms of flexibility, reliability, and integration possibilities.
In homes, classic Bluetooth technology is often used to connect devices used daily, such as wireless speakers, cell phones, or cameras. Thanks to their low power consumption, low cost, and ease of attachment to goods, BLE sensors, on the other hand, can also be used in the construction sector and be installed on equipment on site.
Using more conventional approaches in construction, it can be tough to know where the equipment is on the job site, how it is being used, and whether it is missing or damaged. Managing these elements can take a long time; likewise, they are often managed reactively rather than proactively, leading to errors. The consequences on the company's results will therefore be negative.
How can BLE be used in construction?
Due to the relatively small size of BLE technology and the associated low power requirements, it can be easily mounted on tools and equipment or even attached to staff members. The BLE signal is then transmitted by a beacon and picked up by a detector before being sent to a control operating system. This system will provide accurate real-time information to users, as shown in the diagram below. In addition, BLE technology is durable and can be moved from job site to job site, or machine to machine, ensuring its usefulness for many years to come.
Diagram of the data storage cloud
Regarding data gateways, there are options for implementing (1) mobile beacons and fixed gateways (BM) or (2) fixed beacons and mobile gateways (BF). A recent conference paper on using these technologies to track construction workers in buildings summarizes and compares these options accurately. In general, there are three different types of data gateways that can be used with BLEs:
Mobile device (tablet or smartphone) - Bluetooth is already a commonly used feature with these devices. These work with fixed beacons, which means they are ideal for monitoring workers;
The terminal on-site - to provide data on static or fixed assets on-site, a selected gateway is often appropriate;
Vehicles and facilities with specific gateways installed - these allow mobile assets to be tracked and data to be transmitted regardless of who, if any, is operating the equipment (which could add the task to safety procedures on the site).
The advantages of BLE in the construction industry
The application of BLE on construction sites has a tremendous impact in helping site managers and human resources manage equipment and personnel. For example, the use of BLE on the site can allow the company:
improve asset tracking and quickly identify the location of a piece of equipment;
maintain an automated and accurate inventory of assets, updated in real-time;
monitor the rate of use of the equipment and take prompt action, such as maintenance or replacement.
Integrating this BLE technology provides many advantages: valuable hours are saved in collecting information on site, the possibilities of theft or loss of equipment on-site are reduced, and the equipment can be proactively managed in time. Useful, reducing costly downtime. There are also other benefits in terms of worker health and safety, as the location of personnel can be quickly identified in any potentially hazardous area. In addition, it is possible to monitor the body temperature remotely and thus know when there is a death.
In the diagram below, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of BF compared to BM. Generally speaking, BFs are cheaper and have unlimited coverage with high accuracy in closed areas, but their success relies on the actions and cooperation of the workers. In addition, with BFs, data transmission is not continuous. BMs, on the other hand, are easier to set up and have ongoing data transmission. However, the cost of hardware is higher, coverage may be spotty, and access to electricity is required.
Technical comparison of the methods
Source:
Dror, Zhao, Sacks and Seppänen
At Traxxeo, we have developed digital tools to simplify resource management and give construction companies a clear overview of their on-site assets. How to ensure this management?
Using a smartphone to geolocate equipment on the site as soon as it is detected by BLE technology. Mobile apps are available for site managers, security personnel, team leaders, and other key people to track and take any necessary action;
by centralizing on our web platform all the data collected from the various smartphones, which makes it possible to maintain automated, precise, and up-to-date inventories of sites.
The return on investment of BLE
In any industry, information is priceless, and so is the construction industry. Data from connected objects for construction provides real-time data that was not previously available, which will improve production processes, site management, and, more broadly, management control.
With the growing demand for this technology, BLE is becoming increasingly accessible to construction companies of all sizes. The significant costs associated with many construction equipments, not to mention the associated labor costs, mean that better management and control of this equipment will ultimately lead to a significant return on investment in the construction industry. CORN.
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