The Rebecca R&D&i project is backed by the Andalusian Technological Corporation (CTA – Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía)
The Sando business group and the consulting firm Grant Thornton have started the Rebecca research project, co-funded by CTA, with the aim of creating an intelligent system for the automatic application of the BIM methodology in building. BIM technology-based tools are replacing CAD programs globally.
BIM (Building Information Modelling) is a collaborative methodology for management of building projects and civil works using a 3-D digital model. BIM forms a large database to manage the elements of an infrastructure throughout its entire life cycle.
The Rebecca project focuses on designing a system of artificial intelligence rules and algorithms that work on the BIM databases to improve the control and monitoring of building projects.
The implementation of this intelligent system requires the study and evaluation of a company’s internal procedures to adapt them to the technical demands of BIM. In a second phase, the processes are modelled in order for the system to extract the information automatically.
The data obtained already parameterised thanks to BIM, the Rebecca project proposes applying to them advanced computer methods of deep learning (neural networks) to extract patterns of knowledge. A pattern, for example, may be how long certain work is delayed when faced with a change of material specification or what is the increase in cost expected in view of that change.
The Rebecca Project incorporates the artificial intelligence system in an attempt to obtain a user experience that allows for extracting all the potential of the technology. The aim is to design an expert system to learn constantly and provide the person in charge of each works with suggestions that, based on existing knowledge in Sando, allow him/her to make the best decisions to achieve better built projects, in more concrete terms and with more cost-effective costs.
The person responsible for the Building and Civil Works of CTA, Carlos García, asserts that “Rebecca is an ambitious digital transformation project that will represent a watershed for Sando”. In his opinion, “the implementation of BIM technology will make the processes in building it more efficient, accurate and successful”.
This research will make it easier for Sando to offer unique services in BIM, which increase the quality of the projects and can be rapidly adapted to the customer’s requirements, increasing efficiency and constituting a competitive edge by reducing implementation deadlines and operating costs.
With the Rebecca project, Grant Thornton will carry out one of the first global applications of artificial intelligence to an actual works context, which will be used to strengthen the technological environment of its BIM and project management services.
Together with Sando and Grant Thornton the Rebecca project has the collaboration of the Neurotechnology research group of the University of Malaga and the financing of the CAT.
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