Top 5 Construction Trends Every CIOs Must Know

Construction Tech Review | Tuesday, September 10, 2019

The upcoming technology trends in the construction sector will massively revolutionize the construction sector.

FREMONT, CA: Technology is ruling every field in today's world, especially the construction industry like never before. An incredible way of development in construction is shaping the lives of every human being on Earth to be able to live their lives. Construction technology is not a fad or a fun new toy. Construction companies are competitive, and each of them wants to catch up with everything innovative. The organizations find new approaches into their strategy and workflows. The technologies in construction are changing how the industry operates and how the upcoming projects will be implemented and performed. It is no secret that technology is shaping the modern world and is revolutionizing the world. Technology in construction comes with innovative ways of constructing while changing the future of construction is largely unknown; 

Here are a few construction trends that every CIO should know of:

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1. Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM is similar to Computer-Aided Design (CAD). It is software used for 3D design to digitally model what is to be built. 30 to 35 percent of the builders are currently using BIM/CAD software. The BIM provides space for better collaboration because each person and expertise area can add their respective piece to the same model, instead of breaking out onto multiple versions of a 2D paper drawing. This way, the model emerges as soon as the people contribute, streamlining the process and increasing efficiency. BIM also helps with the problem-solving in the design and the rest of the planning stage of a project, by automating clash detention and offering a unique picture of the project. 

2. Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, also called drones, is expected to see a rapid pace in their usage in the year 2020. Drones are used from its inception and are considered as very helpful. From undertaking inspections guaranteeing that operatives are kept out of harm's way, to help survey the land in just a few minutes, the continued rise of UAVs will tend to improve safety and enhance productivity in the construction. Drones are the most widely used emerging construction technology. They can conduct and study the area of the ground more than a crew and is cheaper than aerial imaging. The high-resolution cameras and the data collected can create interactive 3D or topographical maps and models and help in taking volume measurement. Other benefits of drones include their ability to inspect hard to reach places such as bridges or around a tall building, and do it safely. You can use them to observe progress on the job site and see how people are working. Nowadays, many construction sites are already using drones, which helps them in saving a good amount of time. 

3. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (VR/AR)

VR has finally made its way out of the gaming industry into the real world. Winter Construction, a firm based in Atlanta, GA, used 4D virtual reality models to fully immerse owners and other stakeholders in the environments of planned construction, during the planning and design stages. Major projects comprise airports, hotels, zoo parking, and entertainment complexes. VR technology is often used in conjunction with the BIM to help understand the complex projects. While the VR has traditionally enabled project teams and stakeholders to step inside their proposed scheme before the construction work commences, VR technology is finding countless new applications across the industry. Even though VR has been an emerging trend over the past few years, it is quickly becoming outdated, especially when compared to AR’s uses and benefits. For the enterprises who can afford to use it now, it will transform the way the construction sector builds things. This trend will become more popular in the coming years. 

4. Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

The construction industry has already started witnessing the usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the job site with the use of robotics for tasks like bricklaying and operates any work on-site and off-site without human interactions. AI can benefit construction projects through increased safety, getting jobs done faster and better, and improving workflows. With a rapid movement from fiction to reality, robots have started to enter the construction sites as well as influencing in different other sectors. Robots have been extensively used from a range of autonomous rovers that can increase the efficiency and detail of the site inspections to mechanical arms that automate highly repetitive tasks like the bricklaying and tying rebar.

5. Advanced uses for GPS

GPS tracking is nothing new to mention, but it has started to revolutionize the construction sites because of its more creative and more resourceful behavior that includes the survey, where the innovation has improved because the crew no longer need to use the traditional surveying method or the equipment. Data for the site can be automatically connected. The project managers note the usage in fleet management. These days, every vehicle used in the construction sites is equipped with a device that can be tracked via both computer and smartphones. This helps users know where their vehicles are. It is easy to know the stolen equipment as the managers can generate a map, which can pinpoint the exact location of any of these items.

Without having the slightest doubt, the coming years is expected to be filled with innovations and new technologies in the construction technology industry. A data-driven sector that gives more importance to collaboration and real-time communication is hopefully around the corner. Only then can the construction stakeholders hope for higher productivity rates and fewer painful project delays. The construction technologies are a never-ending syllabus, in which the technology innovation will form an exclusive entry to continually reform the construction sector. 

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