Technology is disrupting every industry that it touches. It has revolutionized how things are done and, more so, making things easier.
Among the sectors that have experienced a significant transformation due to tech adoption in the construction industry. The industry has some of the sophisticated technologies that are disrupting it in a big way.
Technologies such as the IoT, virtual reality, robotics, AI, and machine learning are some of the most disruptive in this industry. How has technology disrupted to this industry? Well, we have identified so of the ways that tech trends are disrupting this industry.
Here are ways that technology is disrupting the construction industry.
One of the most significant impacts that technology in the construction industry is the reduced timelines for a project to be completed. The reduced timelines is making a big impact not only in the construction, but it’s also making a big impact in the pre-construction speed of projects. This results in contractors figuring out how to grow their construction business more efficiently.
1. Automation Enabled Data
Construction companies that are adopting advanced technology in their operations have invested heavily in automation enabled data. Everything from the inspection of the site before the project start through the full contraction, almost everything is automated. Most contractors are using the internet of things (IoT) to collect all the necessary information and transmit to a central point where project managers can access in real-time.
In addition, the use of AI and machine learning technology is used to process data collected IoT to help project managers handle the most urgent issues. Such automation of data is completely changing how new construction projects are run.
2. Fast Project Completion
One of the most significant impacts that technology in the construction industry is the reduced timelines for a project to be completed. Completion time for projects has been significantly reduced. A project that would have taken five years to complete can now take less than three years to finish. Construction companies are achieving these feats by using some of the latest technologies.
Automation or the use of the robotic equipment is one of the technologies that has helped improve productivity in construction sites by huge margins. In addition, the use of virtual and augmented reality have also played a significant role in fast-tracking projects’ completion.
3. Improved Safety
One of the biggest things that have happened in the construction industry is improved safety. The number of injuries has been reduced significantly due to the adoption of advanced technology. For instance, the tradition inspection of the site would require climbing scaffolds to the top to get an aerial view of the project. But with the adoption of drones in the construction work, it is easy to get an aerial view of even the most significant construction site.
The use of robotics for construction work has also helped reduce the number of workers exposed to dangerous conditions. The use of safety cones has also contributed to improving the safety of the workers and the machines used on the site.
4. Automation of Most Functions
There is no doubt that reliance on human labor has been reducing at a rapid rate. That is because human energy is inefficient, unreliable, and expensive. The human productivity is relative, and thus the completion time of the project could, in most cases, be extended.
With more tech machines in the construction, fewer people are needed, as these machines can do almost everything. Today, you don’t need a person to direct computers and other automotive because safety cones can help do that for you.
The adoption of robotics has also kicked many people out of the construction industry. We have robots taking most of the human functions through automation. The impact of the elimination of human labor is a lower cost of construction and better efficiency in workflow. The return on investment is also high.
5. Improved Precision
One of the biggest challenges in the construction industry is the lack of precision, especially in mega projects. The result is usually rebuilding faulty parts of the structure. That means an extra cost to the contractors because such work is not part of the project finance. But with virtual reality and augmented reality, it is now possible to use 3D imaging to install structures that require perfect precision.
So with these technologies, high precision in the construction site is a guarantee. The impact on the cost of the project is incredible. With less or no rebuilding, then you can expect to remain in the set-out budget for the project.
6. Transparency
Technology has helped to improve transparent between the shareholders. We are in the Dropbox Business era, where everyone has all the information they need at their fingertips. Both the contractor and the client can share all the information about the project transparently. Working tech trends such as Dropbox also helps all parties involved are making the right decision for the project. These are just some of the ways how technology is disrupting the construction industry. The bottom line is that technology is right for this industry, and things will continue getting better as technology advances.