Achieving Construction Innovation through Academia-Industry Cooperation—Keys to Success

Abstract

The conception, development, implementation, and commercialization of a crane-mounted vision system through close academia-industry cooperation illustrate how such joint efforts can yield research and development success. The vision system was devised to help solve the problem of blind lifts and other viewing concerns related to the operation of tower cranes on construction sites, thereby enhancing safety and productivity and saving money. In addition to other expected difficulties, the project faced the traditional skepticism of a conservative industry reluctant to adopt changes. The paper relays the chronology of the project and analyzes, stage by stage, the steps taken by the university-based developers to work in harmony with construction companies in particular, and with the industry at large, to ensure success. Lessons drawn from this experience are offered to future academician developers in the field of construction technology.