China's first 5G smart construction site
Updated 10:55, 26-May-2020
By Liu Yang, Wang Peng
02:14

At the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area where China's first 5G smart construction site is located, more than 40 enterprises are upgrading their smart manufacturing facilities based on 5G network. 

The site is all about high efficiency and extra safety guarantee for construction workers. 5G can secure at most 10G transmission rate per second. With characteristics such as broad bandwidth, low latency and wide connection, it provides infinite possibilities for smart construction sites.

China Construction Eighth Engineering Division works with China Unicom to probe into the engineering applications of 5G smart construction sites. The overall architecture of the 5G smart site solution is supported by a 5G telecom network and various advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT).

The 5G AI glasses can give users' location information, allowing engineers to have remote site inspection and remote communication. During the epidemic, these cutting-edge technologies provided effective site management.

CGTN's Liu Yang is at China's first 5G smart construction site, wearing a pair of 5G AI glasses. /CGTN

CGTN's Liu Yang is at China's first 5G smart construction site, wearing a pair of 5G AI glasses. /CGTN

A 5G network is used to interact with the building platform to learn the health information of each worker and judge whether they meet the requirements for working on site. The health analysis system on site can detect more than 10 physiological indicators, such as blood pressure and electrocardiography, and issue physical examination reports.

Zhao Canzhen, chief project engineer of the First Company of China Eighth Engineering Division Ltd. said, "By using 5G, we can realize the supervision of both sides of the real-name system, the monitoring of tower cranes, and the multi-dimensional security monitoring system. In combination with the AI function, we can also identify if people are wearing masks on site."

Panoramic monitoring can also identify dangerous elements, such as fireworks, and give timely alarms. The crane driver can see the real-time transmitted picture outside of the crane and reduce accidents.

"We will carry out this layout and continuously explore and promote 5G to different scenarios in each of our projects. We are going to combine blockchain, unmanned operation, robot construction and other applications in the field," said Zhao.

Experts say China is accelerating the construction of new infrastructures such as 5G networks and data centers, and encouraging innovation such as "5G plus medical and health."

In 2019, the 5G license issued by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology marked China's entry into the 5G era. 5G is continuously winning new applications in the construction field and assisting construction units for safer and more efficient management.

(Zhao Canzhen also contributed to the story.)