Pilot Study on Application of Robotic Process Automation on Geotechnical Works Design Optimisation and Verification - Feasibility Study
LOCATION
Hong Kong
CLIENT
Civil Engineering and Development Department
SERVICES
Innovation & Technology; Design & Engineering; Advisory
PROJECT DURATION
2026 (Ongoing)
Project Description
The Civil Engineering and Development Department’s Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) is advancing the digital transformation of geotechnical design and checking in response to rising costs, an ageing workforce and the need for faster, more consistent public-works delivery. The project will develop an integrated suite of robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Geographic Information System (GIS) and digital engineering solutions. At its core, three RPA modules will connect BIM and Open BIM, engineering-analysis software and spreadsheets to automate section generation, verify design outputs against configurable checking rules, and convert proprietary models into harmonised Open BIM submissions with standard drawings and reports.
The wider 30-month programme includes 3D design ground model–BIM integration, enhanced SmartLog digital geological logging, a Smart GI Planner, a BIM-enabled Cost Assessor and a scoping study for an AI-assisted schematic designer. LiDAR and photogrammetry field trials will also assess digital rock-mass mapping for slopes, tunnels and caverns.
Our Role
Asia Infrastructure Solutions (AIS) has been appointed by CEDD as the lead consultant for this multidisciplinary feasibility study and implementation programme. Our role spans requirements analysis, geotechnical and digital engineering, system architecture, RPA and software development, field validation, testing, training, hosting or migration support, and final handover.
Throughout the 30-month programme, AIS will closely monitor progress, technical performance, programme risks and stakeholder coordination, taking timely action to maintain quality and support successful project delivery. Our multidisciplinary team will work closely with GEO, relevant Government stakeholders, checking authorities and industry partners to develop practical, interoperable solutions that meet stringent technical, security and quality requirements.
Key Challenges
Integrating engineering applications, spreadsheets, BIM and Open BIM, GIS, ground-investigation records and Government platforms requires reliable, traceable information exchange. Automated outputs must remain suitable for regulatory checking while accommodating evolving design rules and multiple software suites. Further complexity comes from LiDAR and photogrammetry data, field validation, cloud and on-premise deployment, and stringent requirements for cybersecurity, privacy, audit trails, disaster recovery, intellectual-property handover and long-term accessibility.
Clients Outcomes & Benefits
The proposed solutions are expected to reduce repetitive data transfer and manual checking, improve the consistency and traceability of geotechnical design, and accelerate verification, approval and reporting. Better BIM, GIS and software interoperability will support ground-investigation planning, digital field logging and high-level cost vetting. Together with AI-assisted design and an integrated delivery platform, the programme is intended to improve productivity, knowledge transfer and engineering decisions across GEO’s workflows.
