Check out the Trends in 2021 and beyond! See what the top up-and-coming construction technology trends are to keep an eye on!
What will construction look like ten years from now? As technology advances, the industry is responding with increased safety measures, more efficient designs and building materials, smarter job sites, new working methods, and automated processes.
Connectivity is the next frontier in construction technology. Innovations are allowing construction companies to push the boundaries of architecture, making new ways of working possible.
#1 Camera & drone technology
Camera systems have evolved at a lightning pace over the past decade. While historically these systems were used to create basic environments for photogrammetry, now they are used in everything from industrial applications to architectural photography. Construction companies are adopting various camera systems to create 3D models for building construction, surveying, GIS data collection and more.
Drone technology is also being deployed more and more. Now, drone footage can be used in real time to check site conditions that, otherwise, would take days to gather. As more entities rely on drones for construction-related purposes, the need for an effective inspection and monitoring system increases as well.
#2 QR codes, on everything!
Using QR codes will allow construction workers to locate and identify assets, tools, machinery statues or building information in the field. QR codes are easily read by smartphones and tablet’s allowing the worker to easily update information from the job site directly to the office.
Tool Tracking systems like ToolPal can allow workers to quickly locate tools or equipment and also help prevent tool theft. A complete list of all equipment used during the construction of a building can be maintained in a database accessible by all workers on site. This gives safety inspectors access to relevant information about equipment as well as making it easy for the company to monitor equipment operations from anywhere.
#3 Robotics & autonomous equipment
Wouldn’t it be great if you could just tell your forklift to load your pallets? As we approach 2025 and the first self-driving trucks arrive on the road, autonomous equipment in construction is poised to make a significant impact on how projects are completed.
From robots digging trenches in hard to reach to excavators working without an operator autonomous equipment is set to dramatically cut the time and costs associated with completing construction projects.
#4 5D & BIM Modelling
A material scan, a computer aided design (CAD) and a traditional layout model are all used to create a 3D model of a building or structure. In 5-D, all three components are brought together with software and computer processing power to produce an accurate and efficient building model that is used for all subsequent visits to that location by clients, subcontractors and local building departments.
#5 AI
Artificial intelligence focuses on using computer algorithms to operate in tasks that normally require human intelligence. In the construction sector, this technology has been applied in a number of useful ways including Automatic ID System (AIS), remote video monitoring using cameras or drones or LIDAR, gravitational wave detection, ranging + much more.
Construction sites are being automated using sensors and technology. Sensors can tell if something is out of place or whether something needs to be moved. They can detect disturbances in the soil or water levels that could signal danger to workers nearby. If something isn’t moving properly or hasn’t been visited in a while, alarms will begin to ring indicating that something isn’t right.