Ingot AI
We help demolition contractors, construction firms, and recyclers to efficiently monitor construction waste, rapidly resell it to other parties through a (1) 3D scanning technology connected to an (2) online marketplace.
Idea in Climate Tech
Introduction
We develop a computer vision solution to detect and classify construction material types and volumes for existing buildings and job sites. Once materials are classified, we enable demolition contractors and recyclers to monitor stock and sell materials through our online marketplace.
Problem
The real estate and construction industry is the largest contributor to climate change as it accounts for 40% of carbon emissions. Furthermore, waste generation is expected to increase by 70% to over 3.4 billion metric tons by 2050. We aim to reduce carbon emissions by increasing the recyclability of existing buildings and construction materials. Currently, less than 65% of demolished buildings’ materials are either reused or recycled. However, the vast majority of buildings that are deconstructed, it is possible to increase this to 95%. Contractors are pressed by time and expenses to properly monitor demolition sites. Moreover, due to antiquated communication between contractors, recyclers and suppliers, it expedites the degradation of materials on sites. This limited visibility leads to these materials not entering the circular economy and encourages production of new materials. The industry needs better and cheaper tools for monitoring materials and connecting key stakeholders.
Opportunity
To help contractors and recyclers monitor their materials and resell them to other parties, we propose a computer vision technology for instant material categorization and quantification synched with an online marketplace. The technology is based on a combination of 3D capture and image segmentation tailored to the construction sector implemented first as a phone app (expandable to other modes of image surveying). It extracts material quantities, types, grade, dimensions, mass, and embodied carbon. It also creates an inventory report that is shared with developers for LEED credits, a recycler for transaction cost evaluation, a transportation company, an accountant for income reporting, or as an automated posting on the online marketplace. The marketplace connects recyclers, contractors and builders to buy and sell construction materials and processed aggregates efficiently and engage more small-scale stakeholders to join the circular economy within a particular metropolitan market.