Technology is revolutionizing every industry unprecedentedly, and the construction industry isn’t left behind. It is in constant advancements and evolution, thanks to technological innovations.
Today, you can find many tools that didn’t exist some five, ten, or so years ago. These advancements in construction technology have taken this sector to an entirely new level, and companies that are quick at adopting them have seen increased productivity.
For instance, using drone survey construction technology, it’s possible to construct stronger, energy-efficient structures and buildings. The construction sites are now safer, and the efficiency of the employees has increased.
These technological innovations bring out efficiency and effectiveness, resulting in higher productivity that enables collaboration and handling of more complex projects. The technology has toughed every tool, large or small, even the safety cones.
1. Training, Safety, and Wearable Technology
The construction industry is among the most dangerous sectors to work in. Workers are persistently exposed to various risks due to their work nature. The construction technology aims at providing a solution to safety challenges. The health and safety of any worker should always be the priority for all construction companies.
Otherwise, we might see fewer and fewer people willing to work in the construction industry. The goal of many technological innovations is to provide safety for the employees of the construction sector.
Technology solutions such as virtual training make it easy to monitor and train the workers effectively, minimizing the accidents that arise in workplaces. Wearable technology is not a thing in the construction industry.
They are installed on the PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), such as boots, safety vests, gloves, and helmets. Their function is to monitor the workers in their working environments and ensure safety.
The wearables are equipped with environmental sensors, voltage sensors, and location trackers, among other sensors that help in monitoring workers.
2. Software & Mobile Applications
Today, the equipment manufacturers ship the tools with supporting software to control or run it. Further, workplace project management software and mobile applications can be used to manage a construction project effectively.
These are software projects used from the start of the construction project to its end. These include preconstruction, project management, scheduling, and evaluation.
These mobile applications and software solutions have proven their importance in improving productivity and streamlining construction projects.
Since most mobile applications and software solutions are cloud-based, the foreman or construction manager can run updates on schedules, documents, and other items promptly and easily. Whenever we talk about mobile applications, it means a timely collection and transmission of data.
Hence, the people working on a project can easily submit important reports such as time cards, expense reports, and queries.
They can also easily reach out to the project managers. The software solutions have also enhanced collaboration between various people and entities involved in a project, consequently boosting productivity. In any construction project, the software developer must be able to create and install a software solution that integrates with others easily.
3. Offsite Construction
This technology uses similar design layouts or comparable floor plans on construction projects. This is a similarity that’s drawn from the automotive manufacturing industry. Here, the workers are given all the necessary materials, tools, and machinery to ensure that the project moves on unhinged.
The visible advantage of this construction technology is how efficient it is, and it also enhances time management. Offsite construction saves time for production and also enhances the productivity of workers. This method is commonly used in making road construction beams and bricks.
4. Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Data is critical for any company and, more so, the companies in the construction sector. It helps managers make critical decisions, enhance workplace safety, minimize workplace-related risks, and improve productivity.
AI helps construction companies to predict project timelines based on the data gathered over time. This strategy gives the construction company an edge in running estimates and bidding on construction projects.
With AI, managers can easily trace their interactions with a project and movements using sensors. Hence, they can adjust how materials and tools are organized and ensure they are accessible to the workers. The result is improved worker productivity and reduced downtime.
Conclusion
Companies adopting construction technology are seeing numerous benefits. Notable ones include enhanced employee safety, timely project completion, and increased productivity, resulting in more profit margins.
Though the adoption rates may be slow, many companies are investing in implementing and researching construction technology. Technology plays a critical role in the construction sites alongside safety cones, barricades, and other workplace equipment to ensure safety.
