ASCE has honored Yong K. Cho, Ph.D., M.ASCE, with the 2024 Computing in Civil Engineering Award for leading advances in construction automation and robotics for more productive, safer, and smarter construction job sites: 3D point cloud processing, Scan-to-BIM, SLAM, IoT-based worker’s motion and location, and equipment proximity tracking.
Cho's substantial contributions lie in the realm of automation and robotics in construction. His pioneering research has not only advanced our theoretical understanding but has also directly influenced practical applications in the industry. His work has been a catalyst in translating cutting‐edge technology into tangible solutions for the construction sector.
Among his notable achievements are the 2022 Tucker‐Hasegawa Award by the International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC) and the Best Paper Award at the 2018 EGICE conference. He has received the prestigious ISARC's Best Paper Awards three times, underscoring the scholarly relevance of his research.
Cho’s leadership has fostered collaboration between academia and industry. He has assumed pivotal roles, including more than 10 years of service as a leadership member of the ASCE Computing Division. He also has served as an academic advisor of the Innovation and Technology committee at the Construction Industry Institute for many years. These roles reflect his commitment to bridging the gap between research findings and their application in real‐world construction practices.
His extensive body of work amounts to about 87 journal papers and over 100 conference proceedings publications, including IEEE papers, which have been pivotal in disseminating knowledge and facilitating its implementation in the field of construction automation and robotics. His ability to secure research funding, with around 40 projects and approximately $7.5 million in funding, with $5 million for his contribution, mainly as the principal investigator, highlights his capacity to attract substantial resources to support research that directly benefits the construction industry.
The Computing in Civil Engineering Award recognizes outstanding achievement and contribution in the use of computers in the practice of civil engineering.
