It’s an exciting time. Advancements in construction are rapidly changing the industry. New technologies are being used to increase productivity, create schedules, and improve safety. Similar to other industries, construction firms and contractors are leveraging technology to help build the future.
LiDAR
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) measures distances using laser lights and wavelengths to make 3D representations of an object. It is commonly used in construction to survey areas from a distance and eliminates a crew’s need to be onsite. LiDAR also enables scientists and mapping professionals to review natural and human-made environments. Due to its accuracy and precision, LiDAR is particularly useful in logging, one of the country’s most dangerous occupations.
3D Printing
This top innovation will have a significant impact on the industry. Contractors and architects have discovered that 3D printing results in more substantial cost savings, flexibility, and sustainability than convention methods. In 2019, two companies created Europe’s first industrial and commercial 3D printing factory for concrete elements; The technology has been used to develop bridges, construct affordable housing, and design new infrastructure.
Construction Robots
Construction is a labor-intensive industry with a shortage of skilled workers. Companies are using new solutions to adapt
to having a lack of people—including construction robots.
These automated machines assume a wide range of duties in the building process. Some are humanoid laborers who resemble people. They can perform physical tasks such as installing drywall or tying rebar on bridges in a fraction of the time it takes a crew.
Robot Swarms are another variety of construction robots. The team consists of hundreds of tiny robots who operate as a cohesive unit to perform tasks such as bricklaying. Robot swarms can also perform dangerous tasks in hard-to-reach locations. They can safely repair structures without endangering lives.
Drones
Drones are one of the most popular advances in construction. In 2017, the use of drones jumped 239 percent in one year. These devices are used to alert crews to equipment malfunctions and security breaches that could go unnoticed. When used over time, the duties completed by a drone will outweigh the cost. It can perform mapping surveys at 1/20th of the typical cost and increase safety by 55 percent.
Connected Hardhats and Smart Boots
Protecting construction workers when they’re onsite is the highest priority. Hardhats can now be outfitted with a safety device that has a range of capabilities. The device can monitor the worker’s location and fluctuations in the person’s temperature to determine if the worker is lightheaded or overheated. The gadget can also prompt an emergency call to first responders if the person has fallen.
Smart boots can help prevent accidents and make it easier for site managers to assign tasks using mobile devices. They are equipped with sensors that measure fatigue, communicate with heavy equipment, and alert first responders in an emergency.
Ongoing Innovations
The construction industry continues to evolve and meet the demands of our society by adapting to change. The commitment to improving safety, reducing costs, and improving our buildings and infrastructure’s structural integrity is ongoing. Working with software experts, engineers, and scientists has changed how the industry builds.
