Technology has become such a buzzword that it is easy for some to misunderstand its true definition. Some conflate it with gadgets alone, but there is much more involved.
Construction technology encompasses an assortment of tools, software systems, and machinery items designed to aid construction teams in quickly finishing projects without compromising on quality or timeline.
1. Automation
Automation Whilst automation may bring to mind robots working autonomously, its potential goes much deeper. For instance, construction automation can be used to increase efficiency of back office operations, reduce project costs, create safer working environments, enhance project management processes, facilitate quality control processes and accelerate site completion times.
Many construction processes are manual and outdated, making them inefficient to complete efficiently. With process automation software’s assistance, these tasks can be completed much more rapidly and save both time and money in the process. Some such processes include contract procurement, material handling, surveying, quality control and much more.
Implementation of construction automation allows these processes to be completed more rapidly, leading to an exponentially greater increase in productivity and efficiency. Automation helps prevent mistakes made by humans as well as decreases the need for human intervention; furthermore, workers are freed up from repetitive work to focus on tasks requiring critical thinking skills instead.
Construction automation offers another great advantage by providing accurate and up-to-date project status reports that can assist both management and workers on site in monitoring progress and identifying any bottlenecks or issues that need addressing.
Automation may render some jobs obsolete, but this won’t significantly diminish labor supply in any industry. Workers with experience performing the most labor-intensive and repetitive tasks as well as those able to oversee automation will still be needed – though curriculum must change to provide workers with relevant skills and knowledge for managing automation effectively.
2. Remote Work
Remote Work Construction professionals can utilize new technology tools both on the job site and in their office environments to stay productive and collaborate efficiently. Not only can employees use them remotely but managers can use them to monitor team and project progress; data and information can even be accessed instantly on laptops or mobile devices for fast decision making.
Construction firms are using data they gather to enhance productivity, enhance job site safety and reduce risks while simultaneously creating more efficient work schedules. One such practice is predictive analytics which can provide accurate timelines based on historical information to create more precise project estimates and bids and estimates. Predictive analytics has also proven its worth in pinpointing bottlenecks in workflow systems for more efficient work schedules and timelines for their construction projects.
Drones are another technological breakthrough that is revolutionizing construction. These unmanned aerial vehicles can be used to inspect bridges, roads, and infrastructure in hazardous or difficult-to-reach places that would be too dangerous for humans to access safely, as well as take high-resolution images for documentation purposes.
Drones are helping make job sites safer for workers. Inspection of bridges with drones is much faster and safer than by climbing scaffolding or using lifts; hard hats now also come equipped with technology capable of displaying directions or warnings directly to workers on site.
Virtual and augmented reality technologies have seen growing success in construction. These enable builders to present designs and plans more convincingly to prospective clients without needing to travel between sites, while they can also assist daily tasks like time card logging or paperwork completion, saving construction companies hours each year in manual data entry costs and helping ensure critical files don’t go missing.
3. Robotics
Relying on robots as construction labor alternatives is still relatively new; however, this trend should become increasingly common as technology continues to advance and develop.
Though robots cannot completely take over workers’ duties, they will help construction companies eliminate significant portions of on-site labor costs – helping meet project deadlines more reliably while staying within budget.
Robotic construction equipment can be utilized on construction sites for a range of tasks, including bricklaying, steel-truss assembly, welding, facade installation, wall painting and concrete laying. Furthermore, robotics may also be utilized to transport materials or perform inspections at these sites.
Many of these tasks are dangerous and require extreme precision, making them increasingly complex as time goes on. While robotic workers cannot fully replace human workers on site, they can make construction safer for everyone on site and shorten completion times which makes projects more cost-effective.
Employing robotics in construction is an excellent way for companies to stay ahead of their competition; however, there remain obstacles such as training requirements and equipment costs to be addressed. Furthermore, experts believe construction companies may not yet be prepared to use this kind of technology.
Robotics in construction is inevitable despite any obstacles; its benefits are too great to ignore. Most construction firms will likely utilize a hybrid approach combining human and machine labor; this will allow employees to focus on tasks most relevant for themselves while the machines take over everything else, leading to faster project completions and more cost-effective housing options.
4. Artificial Intelligence
In the 2010s, artificial intelligence saw significant advances, with Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa voice assistants, IBM Watson’s Jeopardy victories, self-driving cars, development of first generative adversarial network, defeat of world Go champion Lee Sedol by Google DeepMind as examples of such developments. AI was also utilized for natural language processing, image recognition and various medical uses including diagnosing cancers.
Construction companies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) in order to keep projects on track and under budget. One firm uses robots to autonomously capture 3D scans of job sites and feed them into a deep neural network for analysis by construction managers assessing various subprojects. They can assess progress of various sub-projects so they can intervene and take corrective actions as needed if necessary – helping prevent schedule overruns or reduce delay costs.
Many construction companies are turning to AI to increase worker productivity and overcome labor shortages. According to a 2017 McKinsey report, this approach can boost worker productivity by 50% by using real-time analysis of data to help determine which jobsites have enough workers and equipment for timely completion, as well as which might require extra labor resources.
AI can also help improve workplace safety. For example, certain AI systems can use sensors to monitor workers’ vital signs, alerting managers when they exhibit dangerous behavior, and identify potential hazards on the job site before humans do; such as materials or structural failures that pose potential threats.
Governments find it challenging to regulate AI due to its constant rapid advancement and change. Yet AI promises to continue revolutionizing construction industry operations by eliminating costly errors, decreasing worksite injuries, and making building operations more cost effective.
5. 3D Printing
Three-dimensional printing (also referred to as additive manufacturing) entails using computer-generated designs to produce three-dimensional objects layer by layer using materials like plastics, metals and concrete. Advantages of 3D printing technology include reduced operations and logistic costs as well as being able to build on-site immediately and making changes at any time without starting all over.
Apis Cor has invented printers capable of producing contour-crafted homes in 24 hours – an amazing achievement in construction and an innovative new trend that proves buildings don’t need to be square! These printers could open architecture up to new forms.
Contour Crafting was established by Behrokh Khoshnevis and has become the industry leader for 3D construction printing (also known as 3DCP). 3DCP uses additive fabrication technology that enables various forms of concrete to be printed to create unique buildings or structures.
Khoshnevis’ company is currently creating a residential complex in Dubai using concrete printers to construct one, two and three story homes with its concrete printers. Additionally, this complex will boast swimming pools and gardens.
Numerous startups have used 3DCP to use for construction projects on six continents. They have created schools, wind turbine tower bases at 30 feet heights and other structures using this innovative printing method.
Overall, technology in the construction industry is becoming more prevalent and more widespread as contractors realize how it can save them both time and money by expediting project completion more quickly – allowing them to take on more work at once and thus earning more income.
Also Read:- How Has Technology Changed Online Business?
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