“Construction 4.0 Technologies and the Future of the Construction Industry”

Javier Irizarry, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE

Associate Professor Director, CONECTech Lab @ Georgia Tech School of Building Construction

A pioneer of research on Unmanned Aerial System applications in the built environment, Dr. Irizarry is Director of the CONECTech Lab, which aims to establish the Construction 4.0 framework for developing next generation technology enhanced solutions for construction problems by incorporating the cognitive processes of the human component of construction operations.

He has over 20 years of academic and industry experience and has authored over 100 academic articles. His research focuses on construction information technologies including virtual and augmented reality, HCI issues in mobile applications for AEC information access, reality capture technology, Situation Awareness driven information system design, and Unmanned Aerial Systems application in the AEC domain. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, a Masters in Engineering Management from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, and a PhD in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. Dr. Irizarry is also a registered Professional Engineer as well as a FAA Licensed Drone Pilot.

Image included is of a heavy lift UAS that we developed and tested at the Georgia Tech Campus. The Drone is being considered for construction applications for moving items up to 100lbs as far as 5 miles away. The research is on-going and is currently being supported by the U.S. Department of Defense.