Slide deck (pdf)

Background

While touring worksites, we realized how congested and dynamic ground space is in construction.

Problem

Many sub-contractors each handle an aspect of the project. They try to store materials as conveniently as possible but often coincide. A manager to whom we spoke informed us that he had lost an entire batch of concrete because the truck arrived only to find another contractor's pallets in the way of the pour location.

Solution

Our team developed the Trace system so that material can be identified and tracked both in space and time by managers to improve workflow.

When material is delivered to a site, its information is filled in from a requisitions database on the Trace hub, and then pushed wirelessly onto a Trace tag. The tag is attached to the material and uses an IMU activated, low-power GPS chip that updates position changes only when moved. Information about material locations is displayed in a manager's iPad app, with functionalities such as reserving space on site, path planning around obstacles, and filtering for specific materials.