Almost every industry that we know has been immensely affected by the rapid evolution of technology. But some of the sectors are slower in adopting technology than others. One of them is the construction industry. There are various reasons for this slow adaptation, one of them being culture. Most of the people in this industry still like solving problems independently, without any outside help whatsoever. Many businesses are still following old practices, giving a lot of importance to traditions. Another reason for this negligence is the priority of funding. Most of the budget first goes to equipment and personnel and then technology.
But that’s not all. When we look at technological solutions, we find out that there is not a good deal of technology geared towards construction businesses. For instance, before smartphones, there weren’t many available options to help them communicate with workers on the field. And we all know that construction businesses spend most of their time on the field that can be in far-flung areas, hindering communication. Thus, it creates the need to utilize technological resources and solutions to ensure a smooth workflow.
Thankfully, all of that is changing. People in the construction industry are accepting technological transformations. The resistance is slowly fading. People are slowly and gradually welcoming the fact that technology has a plethora of solutions to offer. Also, connectivity and computing have become much better than they were previously. We now have user-friendly, robust, and budget-friendly solutions for almost everything we need. Whether a construction project requires advanced lodging with tech amenities or wearables for workers, solutions are available. We have access to cameras, drones, GPS, BIM (Building Information Monitoring), 3D printing, and other technologies that provide optimal results.
Here are some of the technologies that offer numerous benefits to the construction businesses:
1. AR and VR
You don’t have to visualize the project outcomes in your mind anymore. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality can show you exactly how your building will look like, even before you start working on it. AR and VR technology can now translate conceptualizations and ideas into physical representations. You can now construct virtual models of structures that you can walk through even before you lay down a single brick. For example, you can build a mechanical schematic of how the place will turn out. Then the electrical contractor can walk through it all and decide where they want to run their wires and conduits, and more.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Suppose you are installing an elevator in a building. You can use Augmented reality to find out just how it will look and how much space you will have to work with afterward. Using AR technology allows you to make fewer mistakes and save your time, effort, and money on the project.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Likewise, you can use virtual reality to improve your on-site safety procedures and ensure fewer accidents. Just build a virtual walkthrough for employees to practice various safety procedures and determine what might happen if they don’t.
2. Construction Wearables
Undoubtedly, there’s a lot you can do with just an app and a wearable. These devices offer various benefits for productivity, safety, compliance, and more. These could be glasses, boots, and hardhats, among others. We all know that construction is one of the riskiest businesses in the market. Construction sites are known for several mishaps and accidents that even cost people their lives. There are falls, collisions, equipment malfunction, and more that cause hundreds of deaths every year. Wearables offer safety and security for workers and can prevent all sorts of injuries as well as death. Some of the wearables available in the market today are:
Smart boots
Every time a construction worker gets close to a risk-prone site, these boots will light up. They have sensors that can be programmed to avoid vehicles, places where demolition is going on, and more.
Smart Hard Hats
These hats have sensors in them that measure brainwaves. If they detect “microsleep,” they immediately send a signal waking the person up. Microsleep is the reason for a lot of injuries and even deaths.
And these aren’t the only ones. There are smartwatches, monitors, and goggles that improve productivity, efficiency, and safety.
3. Artificial Intelligence
Everybody knows AI, and most of us use AI daily (Think of Alexa and Siri). AI means the ability of a machine to make decisions on its own. Machine learning is the ability of a device to learn from its past experiences. Both these technologies are set to make huge waves in the construction industry. With the help of AI and ML, construction businesses can analyze job sites, identify risks and dangers and safety violations. They can pre-identify highly accident-prone areas. Also, AI-based software can easily find out inefficiencies and build a more realistic timeline based on past experiences. As the software keeps on learning, it will have the ability to improve construction designs and outcomes.
Conclusion
There is still time before the construction industry becomes fully digitized. There are various factors involved, but the pace is fast. If you want to be known as an innovator in the construction industry, these are the technologies you must utilize. Many construction businesses are using automated or semi-automated construction equipment, given the ease they provide. However, there are more technological solutions they can benefit from in the long run.
