Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions in construction are taking off with some startups building in this unique space. 91Squarefeet has built RDash, a community-driven vertical software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform designed for developers, contractors, and design studios. Equipped with a range of collaborative tools, the platform simplifies and enhances the collaboration process for individuals in the construction industry, facilitating faster project delivery within budget constraints. Some of its users include ICICI Home Finance, Hometown, Livguard, Kona Kona Interiors, among others.
Zepth is another AI-driven SaaS platform that is reshaping the construction management space. Its AI Risk Manager helps developers and project managers by creating a common data environment and a defragmented ecosystem, leading to significant efficiency, time, and cost savings. “The platform’s AI-driven capabilities allow it to continuously improve project outcomes by efficiently detecting and mitigating risks. This leads to optimised project planning and a reduced likelihood of errors and rework that are often costly and time-consuming. By facilitating better planning, Zepth significantly boosts jobsite productivity and efficiency,” says its founder and CEO Prasoon Shrivastava.
Zepth is widely used by real estate developers, project managers and contractors to manage a host of projects like residential complexes, commercial development, stadiums and hospitality projects. The Gurugram-based firm targets mid-to-large scale construction projects, with an enhanced focus in the Americas and the Middle East. Some of its key clients include BCCI, Indian School of Hospitality (India), Aldar, Shuaa Capital, Arkiplan International (Middle East) and Verve Projects (New Zealand).
“Clients using Zepth have reported significant returns in terms of efficiency, time, and cost savings. These benefits are a direct result of the platform’s ability to provide a unified view of projects, enabling more effective management and coordination,” Shrivastava informs.
Bengaluru-based Powerplay is another construction management SaaS startup (software and app) that elevates construction teamwork for on-time and budget-friendly completion of the project. It promises construction owners savings up to 7% of the project cost.
Winds of change
India’s construction sector is changing rapidly, says Rohan Malhotra, managing partner at Good Capital, an India-focused, seed-stage venture capital fund. “Progressive real estate chains have shown a strong appetite for such AI-based tools while developing their commercial/retail stores. In a category notorious for delays, they see it as a smart way to tighten execution. Covid uncertainties have made on-time store openings even more critical,” he adds.
Basically, these AI platforms focus on fundamentals — using predictive data to remove key bottlenecks like materials procurement; computer vision dashboards to alert site teams on potential lag; and dynamic checklists tailored to every micro-step. “From what we have seen, since on-time completion seems to be the biggest pain point that the industry is facing, stemming from a deep skill gap in the labour executing these projects, these platforms can essentially become a substitute for skilled labour doing the thinking work for execution to happen more efficiently,” says Malhotra.
According to him, companies are using smart CRM tools to understand customer needs better and finding the right property for them, brokers are using virtual walkthroughs to show buyers what their to-be home would look like, capturing a lot of construction data and then using AI to simplify the process, generate floor plans and identify inefficiencies. “We are seeing continued adoption of drones, sensors, AR/VR visualisation, and 360-degree site imagery,” he said.
The pain-points
Puneet Bansal, co-founder, 91Squarefeet, says a recurring problem in this sector is effectively communicating design and deliverable scopes to different subcontractors, including civil, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering), and interiors, while ensuring coordination between the project plan and progress tracking.
RDash, started in early 2023 under 91Squarefeet, assists builders by providing a digital assistant for not only the management teams but also all individuals involved in project delivery. “A notable example is a co-working space project developed by Incuspaze, where RDash facilitated the creation of a virtual construction network. This platform brought together subcontractors, enabling efficient communication of designs and division of project scopes among them,” says Bansal.
The beneficiaries
Design and build firms, architect studios, and developers across residential, commercial, and retail sectors use RDash to efficiently manage leads, client proposals, project workflows, and budgets. Bansal says that general contractors in civil, interiors, and specialty trades benefit from RDash’s capabilities, enabling seamless project management and progress monitoring right from the field. RDash has invested $2 million till now and is looking to invest more than $24 million by the end of FY24.
The bottomline: Next-generation technologies like AI, IoT, and building information modeling (BIM) are transforming the construction industry by enhancing efficiency, improving safety, and fostering better collaboration. “These technologies enable real-time data analysis, predictive maintenance, and improved decision-making. For instance, IoT devices offer real-time monitoring of site conditions, while BIM provides a collaborative environment for all project stakeholders, resulting in more efficient and error-free project execution,” Shrivastava says.
