Automated Part Tracking on the Construction Job Site

Published

July 1, 2000

Author(s)

William C. Stone, L E. Pfeffer, K M. Furlani

Abstract

Efforts are underway at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a web-based system for rapid tracking, identifying, and locating manufactured components on the construction jobsite. The approach involves the use of RFID and barcode identification systems, 3D long range coordinate measurement technologies, portable/wearable computers, wireless communications, high speed networking, temporal project databases, web-based data analysis, and 3D user interfaces to provide as-is and as-built component data at the actual construction site. These same techniques may prove useful for planning and execution of construction operations on other planets. Present research is focused on developing compact, rugged, wireless part status managers, interoperability protocols for data transmission, and 3D site visualizers which reflect the current state of tracked components on the construction site. Ultimately, these field measurements will be used to generate automated material acceptance and payment transactions, damaged component rejection notices, and production rate change requests to fabricators. This paper discusses the methods employed to achieve this capability in a prototype system.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings, ASCE Robotics 2000 Conference, Fourth International Conference and Exposition/Demonstration on Robotics for Challenging Situations and Environments

Conference Dates

February 27-March 2, 2000

Conference Title

ASCE Robotics Conference

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

augmented reality, barcodes, component tracking, construction automation

Citation

Stone, W. , Pfeffer, L. and Furlani, K. (2000), Automated Part Tracking on the Construction Job Site, Proceedings, ASCE Robotics 2000 Conference, Fourth International Conference and Exposition/Demonstration on Robotics for Challenging Situations and Environments, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860216 (Accessed October 14, 2025)