Aquila: AI-Powered Digital Twin for Construction Sites

• Project Dates: 1st Sept 2024 – 1st Sept 2025
• Partners: Okana, XBIM, Newcastle University and Northumbria University

This project aims to develop Aquila, an AI-powered Digital Twin platform that transforms productivity and sustainability on construction sites. In collaboration with world-leading organisations like BIM Academy, XBIM, Gray Fox Consulting, Costain Group Plc, and Northumbria University, Aquila tackles key industry challenges such as low equipment utilisation and resource management inefficiencies. By leveraging real-time data, AI-driven analytics, and 4D visualisations, Aquila establishes bi-directional control loops between the construction site and the project control office, enhancing decision-making for equipment usage, safety monitoring, and scheduling. This leads to significant reductions in costs, delays, and carbon emissions. Aquila’s core AI functionalities include real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and AI-assisted decision-making to optimise equipment use and work programs. The platform aligns with the UK's Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy and the government’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance roadmap, supporting both economic growth and environmental targets. Key milestones in the project include selecting and testing AI methods for productivity and safety monitoring, deploying cloud computing infrastructure, and integrating IoT, mobile applications, and 4D dashboard visualisations. These elements will create a comprehensive, data-driven solution tailored to the needs of the construction sector.