Technological advances are paving the way for an extensive digital transformation in the construction industry today. Today, you will find many examples of how technology is revolutionizing the construction industry. From artificial intelligence (AI) to the Internet of Things (IoT), technology is reshaping the construction industry dramatically by driving away inefficacies, and low productivity.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has put development to a halt in nearly all industries, we can expect the trend to continue in 2021.
In this article, you will learn about some of the tech trends that are transforming the construction industry today, with a few examples that can benefit your business.
The Reshaping of Traditional Brick-and-Mortar Industry
While it might be exciting to know that the traditional building and construction landscape is changing, it is even more interesting to know about the reason for driving these changes.
Technology and the construction industry have numerous complementary facets, which include:
The rapid change of client expectations
Clients are the catalyst of rapidly changing markets. They have growing expectations for more innovatively tailored products for their houses, workplaces, commercial buildings, and more.
Client demands are ever-increasingly changing. Therefore, it is only natural that constructions become more specific, modularized, and optimized on energy with more focus on improving health and safety criteria.
Limitless capabilities of technology
New possibilities have emerged in the realm of construction, with costs of sensors, hardware, and software dropping on one hand and efficiency rising on the other. With technological innovations, construction professionals can expect more novel and rewarding transformations, backed by augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), robotics, drones, additive printings, and so on.
Expansion of start-ups
With new market opportunities driven by technological advancements, start-ups are increasingly making valuable contributions. According to Oliver Wyman, a global management consultancy firm, over 1200 start-ups in real estate and construction have emerged since 2010. These companies have also received over $19.4 billion in funding.
A new generation of craftsmen and professionals
While the construction industry has been traditionally resistant to change, tech-savviness is quickly spreading now accelerating the adoption of digital technologies. Universities are training younger generations for emerging tech-related jobs. Many new jobs will be available in the years to come with the adoption of new technologies.
Supportive legal frameworks
Digital technologies offer endless opportunities for lessening the environmental impact of construction projects that are in line with governments that are increasing their CO2 and energy efficiency regulations.
You may find an increase in the requirements of data usage and cybersecurity in buildings and infrastructures. Additionally, more groups and labels are being launched to support innovation and help the market move in one direction.
So what are the digital technology trends for the construction industry? Let’s take a look.
Trends in Construction – Futuristic Ideas with Examples
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies are navigating innovations in numerous industries, and the construction industry is no exception. While AR superimposes computer-generated view, making digital content look as if it is part of the physical world around users, VR is replacing the real world through a simulated environment.
That said, AR is proving to be more fruitful than VR because of its uses and benefits.
For example, a projected infrastructure can be overlaid over a vacant site to help the client visualize the end product. Both AR and VR can also detect design and coordination errors as buildings are becoming increasingly complex.
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Another demanding trend in the construction industry is BIM that promises to deliver more accuracy to the building process. It is believed that BIM will be a game-changer for the construction industry with its ability to portray the project development in an open and highly collaborative environment.
From making resource management more accessible to enabling enhanced collaboration to help people stay in touch throughout the project, this technology offers numerous benefits to construction companies.
5D BIM is the most recent technology, and it has the capability to project shorter cycles, provides an understanding of the project scope, and increases productivity.
Killa Design, a Dubai-based architectural firm, has also embraced this technology. They are worth mentioning because they pioneered the Museum of the Future, one of the most iconic buildings in Dubai.
Robotics
The adoption of robots shouldn’t come as a surprise. Robots offer more precision and occurrence, hence, they may prove to become a commanding force in the construction industry.
For example, robots may be used to lay bricks, lift heavy objects, and tying rebar, or handling human-operated construction projects.
Cloud and Mobile Technologies
Cloud solutions have been driving innovations in several fields. Today, leveraging cloud technologies in mobile devices, you can store massive amounts of data and share them instantly from anywhere and anytime.
In addition to facilitating the storage of large amounts of information, project managers can also easily access it, and keep information in a secure location. The information can later be accessed by connected devices.
Facility management software and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) are some popular cloud solutions in the construction and real estate industry. With automation, project managers are able to get a bird’s eye view of their entire operations and schedule maintenance for all equipment in use in the construction area.
The aspect of collaboration is what’s making cloud solutions a dominant trend in the market. Effective communication is the key to the successful execution of any project, and construction projects are inclusive.
You may have witnessed different teams working on a construction project with very little or no synchronization, and this is where cloud-based solutions can help address the gap efficiently.
Drones
Drone technologies are expeditiously booming, and with innovations, many construction companies are heavily relying on the use of drones. It is forecasted that the drone industry will grow to $11.2 billion in 2021. There are a great many benefits of using drones in the construction industry.
Example: While traditionally, surveying a site can take weeks or even months, with drones, surveyors can do that in a fraction of a minute. With the benefits drones offer, such as saving time and money, obtain more accuracy and precision, you can expect more construction companies to openly embrace this technology.
Wrapping Up
Digitization in the construction industry is still in the nascent stages. While innovation is thriving, it remains scattered and disorganized. Nonetheless, digitization in the construction sector will eventually generate usages and breakthroughs that we cannot simply conceive yet.
Guest article written by: Riyan N. Alam is a Digital Marketing Analyst at CloudApper, a cloud ERP service provider, and a lifelong learner with an ongoing curiosity to learn things. Riyan enjoys spending his time traveling, reading up on current industry trends. He uses curiosity, combined with his passion for reading books, to write about subjects valuable to people and their daily lives.
thanks for sharing this helpful information it will help me in my construction industry
It’s an increasingly familiar story, rooted in the problem that many project managers face in being able to effectively plan, manage and track their complex projects. But this is where Primavera P6 comes into its own
With BIM, the model includes information that allows a contractor to accurately and rapidly generate an array of essential estimating information, such as materials quantities and costs, size and area estimates, and productivity projections.
Way to sum it up! Despite the recent increase in lumber cost, still, it is paramount that companies keep up with the trends. Not only it can improve the results of construction projects, but, it could also help with personnel safety. Incorporating the trends with sustainable materials would be of great benefit.
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You might want to save money on your next construction project. You could achieve this aim in so many ways such as planning and shortlisting candidates before you negotiate with them.
Great post! It’s really a piece of information and a helping post. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I will use all this tech in my construction company, not only to build better houses but also give me an edge over my competitors before they realize this trends. Most of the youths my age are too busy complaining the construction industry is only ran by old times so they wont bother entering while the old timers wont understand this trends am in the right position to cause a great disruption.
This is very beneficial for me, I got some vital point regarding this Building Information Modelling which would be really helpful for my construction industry. After reading your article I have applied your strategy and started using BIM for my construction industry that promises to deliver more accuracy to the building process. Thanks for sharing this such quality information!
I have learned huge knowledge from here. I am waiting for your updates
Great post! These new trends and technologies can improve construction project outcomes, and also enhance personnel safety in the industry. I feel like I am also hearning more about sustainable construction nowadays. I hope it catches on.