Feasibility of a wearable 360° camera for personalized proximity warning on construction sites

Yoo, J.; Hwang, S.; Seo, J. and Choi, B. (2026) Feasibility of a wearable 360° camera for personalized proximity warning on construction sites. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 152(6): 04026079, ISSN 0733-9364

Abstract

Construction sites pose a high risk of struck-by accidents due to limited situational awareness. This study investigates the feasibility of using a neckband-style wearable 360° camera for proximity warning in construction environments. The proposed framework consists of a data preprocessing module - handling motion blur detection and distortion correction - and a hazard detection module, which integrates object detection with depth estimation. By identifying hazardous equipment and estimating its distance, the system provides personalized warnings to workers at risk. Field tests conducted at actual construction sites demonstrated an F1-score of 0.81 in hazard detection. Unlike fixed cameras or sensor-based systems, this approach enables omnidirectional, individualized hazard monitoring without additional site infrastructure. The wearable camera also minimizes interference with tasks, supporting stable image capture. The findings highlight the potential of combining wearable computer vision and deep learning to improve safety in complex and dynamic construction settings.

Item Type: Article
Index terms: construction site, monitoring, field test, computer vision, estimation, distortion, module, estimating, deep learning, object detection
Subjects: computer vision, artificial intelligence, architectural elements, control systems, data collection methods, networking, financial and cost management, work location
Topics: Digital Applications, Cost Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Site Management, Design Practice
Descriptive scope: 2 PC

N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here