The construction industry is at a place where it’s changing rapidly and this result in an improvement in connectivity that has a significant impact on the critical sector of the global economy.
From BIM going down to VR, the use of bright orange cones, drones surveying the construction site, and many more, there’s no denying that technology is changing the building sector and industry professionals should do their best to keep up with these trends.
Here’s how technology is improving the construction industry.
#1. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Better Site Surveying
Technology has opened doors to the high-quality image capturing and the likes for the past few years, and there are no signs that it’s going to stop any time soon. With high definition time-lapse image-capturing cameras strategically placed all around the job site, construction companies are now capable of creating a virtual record of project progress without any issues at all.
Additionally, there are high-tech versions like the OpenSpace, which is a Silicon Valley startup that users only need to install a 360-degree camera on their hard hats, press record, and walk around the area. This simple act would allow them to capture what is happening around them. Soon enough, OpenSpace AI would also stitch the video footage and turn it into a 360-degree panoramic map that’s like Google Street View.
This is very useful for construction workers because it is capable of cutting the hours out of the time it would typically take to walk through the area using a standard camera.
Aside from that, as drones become more and more popular, it would be more useful in capturing aerial footage of all infrastructures. This is perfect for taking shots of the work progress, but aside from that, it can also be used to create content that could adequately capture the building’s beauty in various angles.
Virtual reality is another thing that we can all look forward to. In the construction industry, it plays a vital role in the sense that project managers and clients would be able to see the building in actual instead of entirely relying on 2D drawings.
#2. Digital 3D Modeling for a More Accurate Design
With 3D modeling, the construction process no longer needs to carry out blueprints of building designs wherever they go. This is one of the few beautiful innovations because it actually speeds up the design process and it also allows the designers and architects to explore different areas and be able to identify possible problems right away.
Aside from that, it also offers realistic rendering that is also engaging. It’s something that clients would truly appreciate as they’ll have an idea of what the finished project will look like even before it’s completed.
#3. The Use of GPS Improves Productivity
GPS offers the kind of technology we never thought possible a few years back. However, as technology improves, so as GPS technology. Now, it’s being widely used for mapping and surveying. Aside from that, it’s also proven to be very useful in finding buried and overhead utilities.
It can also be used to facilitate heavy machinery, excavation, and precision grading. For that reason, it’s now considered to be a vital component in improving efficiency, productivity, and safety in the construction site.
#4. Management and Reporting Software
There are plenty of easy-to-use apps that make it possible for workers to access the necessary documents and files. Through this, they’ll also be able to conveniently share these with the whole team while on the job site. New devices are also being developed, and these could withstand harsh weather conditions.
The use of mobile devices and app improves overall communicate, and it makes the transfer of real-time information more efficient than before. Now, documents can easily be shared with the whole team, and more especially, with their clients.
#5. 3D Printing Shortens the Time Necessary
3D printers are becoming more high-tech than before. There are large scale 3D printers now that is capable of producing foundations, building components, and even bridges. These can be used from small-to-medium sized buildings, and eventually, to bigger ones.
#6. Social Media
The construction industry has fully embraced the social-media boom with marketing techniques being more available to the workers. Now, all that’s left is for the construction industry to learn how to use it to their advantage.