Digital Vision on the Construction Site: Computer Vision Takes on Structural Defects

AI Revolution in Construction Oversight

Russia’s Federal Center for Construction Oversight (RosStroyKontrol) has launched field trials of cutting-edge technologies designed to detect defects in concrete and reinforced-concrete structures using digital solutions and computer vision. The goal: early detection of damage during the construction phase to prevent structural failures both during building and throughout a structure’s lifespan.

The tests explore the full range of modern neural network capabilities. These systems, previously adapted for analyzing images of construction materials, were trained on thousands of photographs of real defects identified on active job sites.

Nationwide Learning: Building a National Defect Dataset

RosStroyKontrol’s 85 regional offices contributed to the training process, providing feedback, visual data, and image sets from worksites across Russia. The result is a structured and continuously expanding dataset that is rigorously verified and validated. Thanks to this, the neural networks can detect, segment, and classify defects in reinforced concrete structures with increasing precision. Engineers are also teaching the system to estimate defect size and even potential risk levels. A unified technological environment is in development—combining intelligent software, neural networks, and specialized inspection hardware.

The Benefits of Automated Oversight

Integrating AI into construction oversight goes far beyond a single project. It represents a major modernization of quality assurance and labor productivity, improving reliability across the nation’s infrastructure. Early detection of defects helps avert accidents and disasters, while automation minimizes the subjectivity of traditional inspections, making assessments more transparent and compliant with modern standards. The system also cuts inspection time and costs—especially on large, complex projects such as bridges or housing developments.

“RosStroyKontrol is fully committed to improving the quality of construction in Russia and ensuring the safety and functionality of our nation’s infrastructure. We work for our citizens—and for the country’s future.”

Vladimir Shcherbinin

Director General of RosStroyKontrol

For the industry, this marks a move toward “smart construction,” where AI and digital twins form an integral part of the building lifecycle. On the global stage, Russian developments could become competitive export products, particularly for countries experiencing rapid construction growth but facing skilled labor shortages—such as in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Yet challenges remain: international certification, brand trust, and competition from established players like Autodesk, Bentley Systems, and emerging Chinese and Israeli startups.

Global Trend, Russian Response

Similar AI-driven oversight solutions are emerging worldwide. U.S.-based DroneDeploy has launched its Progress AI platform to monitor construction progress using drone data. Japan’s NTT is testing AI systems to detect corrosion in bridges, while the European U-AInSPECT project uses drones to automatically identify structural defects. In Russia, the startup GLAZAR is developing software for visual inspection in both construction and shipbuilding.

In July 2024, RosStroyKontrol launched its automated control platform “PUSK” (Construction Oversight Management Program), which collects and stores information on defects from multiple sites. Drone-based video inspections feed data into the system in real time. These efforts illustrate a global shift toward AI-powered construction oversight.

Path Toward an Industry Standard

If pilot testing succeeds and government support continues, RosStroyKontrol’s technology could become a national industry standard. The system could be mandated for state and municipal construction contracts, embedded into design documentation and budgets as a standard quality-control element. Implementation of defect-detection technologies is expected across key infrastructure projects—roads, bridges, and public facilities—within the next few years.

A broader industry platform may follow: an AI engine paired with an extensive labeled image database, ready for integration into contractors’ BIM systems and construction management tools. This progress will also drive demand for complementary technologies: drones with advanced cameras, laser scanning, photogrammetry, and deformation sensors.

At the “100+ TechnoBuild 2025” International Construction Forum, RosStroyKontrol unveiled the Quadriga drone—an AI-equipped model capable of real-time analysis of reinforced-concrete surfaces. It identifies defects and transmits inspection data directly to a centralized server. This breakthrough technology promises more objective, rapid, and data-driven compliance monitoring.

Together, these tools point toward a unified digital ecosystem for construction oversight—marking a critical step in merging AI, construction, and public safety.