Larissa Zeichhardt employs a robotic dog at her construction company, LAT, based in Berlin. This four-legged machine is equipped with cameras and sensors to document daily work, particularly in laying high-voltage cables along railway tracks. Zeichhardt notes that none of her 130 employees are eager to return to the office for documentation after a long day on-site. The robo-dog roams the tracks, records locations, and transmits the data into a virtual 3D model, ensuring the next shift is well-informed.
This automated data collection helps prevent damage to cables, which can lead to outages and costly repairs.
A 'Sisterhood' of Entrepreneurs
Zeichhardt and her sister, Arabelle Laternser, took over their family business after their father's sudden death. Their enthusiasm for modern technology led them to digitally transform the old-fashioned construction sector. This transformation was necessary as Zeichhardt was pregnant at the time, and they wanted to streamline their administrative work to allow for more flexibility.
Today, their employees use digital apps for documentation, tool management, and safety documents, all consolidated into a construction-site database.
Construction Still No Job for Women
The construction industry has a reputation for being dirty, loud, and male-dominated, with only 14% of employees being women in Germany. Despite strong economic growth and potential earnings, the percentage of women in heavy manual trades like bricklaying remains at a mere 2%. The challenges of balancing construction work with family life make it hard for women to enter this field.
An initiative called WIR.KÖNNEN.BAU (We Can Construction) aims to attract more women by promoting flexible hours and childcare support.
Pioneering Roles for Women
Bianca Weber-Lewerenz, the first female mason in Baden-Württemberg, believes that digitization and AI are creating new roles for women in construction. She highlights how modern tools reduce the physical demands of the job. AI helps with tasks such as generating invoices through image recognition, allowing for more efficient documentation from home.
Weber-Lewerenz never felt deterred by being the only woman on-site; she earned respect through her ability to handle tough conditions and her dedication to her work.
Effective Use of AI
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is becoming increasingly prevalent on construction sites, simplifying communication and preventing chaos. Weber-Lewerenz emphasizes the importance of identifying tools that enhance efficiency and reduce waste. Her Initiative for Excellence promotes sustainable, human-led AI in construction, gaining support from the industry.
This article was originally written in German.
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