I’ve marveled at countless skyscrapers in my time, and it’s clear that the construction industry has been around for thousands of years. Our ancestors built their homes with stones, but today, technology is transforming how we construct the world around us.
Technology and construction have a connection that has grown stronger in recent years, as technology brought a new era of innovation and development in improving the efficiency, safety, cost-effectiveness, material usage, and quality control of construction projects. In recent years, the use of technology in construction has yielded substantial gains.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How technology improved the construction industry
- Technologies used in construction
- Challenges in adopting technology in construction
- Will technology replace construction workers?
- Will construction industry ever be automated?
- Advancements in technology in the construction industry
How technology improved the construction industry
Technology improved construction in numerous ways and it was a game-changer for the industry, bringing about a new era of innovation and development. Below, I’ve listed five ways that technology has improved construction throughout the world.
1. Reduce waste and material usage
Engineers and developers today are using the process of Building Information Modeling (BIM) which aims to evaluate, prepare, execute, and operate the construction.
The use of this technology or process in construction has been highly effective in reducing waste and material usage because great planning and preparation were already done.
It provides a comprehensive view of the construction project throughout the project lifecycle. In addition, making construction will be more efficient and cost-effective.
With the help of this technology, it can ensure a smooth transition and execute work diligently which leads to successful implementation.
2. Improved worker safety through robotics
If you ever passed by a construction site, you will realize how risky it is to work in that place.
When working on a construction site, there are different forms of hazards, and one worker’s carelessness might lead to accidents, even fatalities.
It is now feasible to execute difficult activities with less risk to employees thanks to the assistance of robotics. Robots cannot eliminate danger in the workplace; they can only assist with such activities.
Robots may also give visibility to construction workers and eliminate the need for a person to enter potentially hazardous areas of a structure.
As you can see, building sites also feature large pieces of machinery or large blocks of cement, which increases the likelihood that something may go wrong.
However, robotics can improve the distance between employees and heavy equipment, which can help with risk management.
3. Faster construction time
Completing a building is much faster today compared to in the past, technology made it possible to assist engineers and workers to reduce the time needed to complete a project.
Real-time inspection is so vital to construction sites because every project is different and every site is unique.
Construction is a very complex and time-consuming process that requires months or even years of careful planning and coordination among various developers.
But, thanks to advanced computers and software, this will help a lot of professionals to calculate the projected time when the project will be completed.
Also, there are construction sites where a shortage of labor is a regular issue. However, heavy equipment like cranes, conveyors, and lifts are becoming more efficient, resulting in shorter construction times.
4. Helps to improve building quality
When a construction project uses advanced technologies, it also helps them ensure greater precision in their work.
Workers can accurately measure the corners, perimeters, and material placement. This significantly contributes to the building’s overall quality.
Another factor to also consider when building a home or a tall building is how it will adapt to natural disasters. Every home is different when you build it in a specific country.
Other things to be considered are seasons, fire safety, and the demand of your customer when it comes to energy standards. All these things can be measured with the help of technology.
Having technology in construction makes the work smarter which leads to improving the quality of the building.
Other reasons that improve the structure’s overall quality is how it is planned from the beginning and retrofitting structures for increased durability.
5. More opportunities for innovation
You would assume that we’ve reached the pinnacle of technological innovation in construction, but the fact is that we’re only getting started. The existing technology that you see in some developed countries is being enhanced to be more efficient and useful.
Experts are continuing to create game-changing technology that will influence the building business because they believe it can reach previously unimagined heights.
AI and machine learning may have the ability to benefit this industry in the future if properly developed. Human work may also be replaced by robots in some construction tasks.
Some construction companies believe that using robots or other technologies in building projects would enhance productivity and allow them to double the quantity of work.
Technologies used in construction
There are lots of technologies that are being used in construction, from design to execution, technology is being utilized to improve the overall work of building the structure.
When construction is just starting, technologies like computers and software are the main characters.
As we can see, the design and planning of the structure are being done in software like Cad Design to better illustrate the said project. Measurements, angles, and foundations are being planned here.
Planning the structure through software like this will force the industry to stay ahead of the game because it will save them time compared to the manual drawing.
We also have technologies like Building information modeling (BIM) which involves creating a digital presentation of the project. Engineers and Architects can work together in a virtual environment.
Another technology that has been making noise in the construction industry is drones. Drones are being used to survey the overall site structure to inspect hard-to-reach areas and monitor the progress of the said project. Drones can also be used for a safety inspections to help workers avoid potential hazards.
Robotics are also present to aid workers to lay bricks, mixing concrete, and even painting walls.
It could also help them transport, carry huge materials, and reduce the need for manual labor.
These could reduce the risk of workplace accidents and lessen the number of fatalities worldwide.
Other important technologies are:
- Site Sensors
- 3D Printing
- Conveyors
- Augmented Reality
- Modular Construction
- Advance Analytics
All the technologies that I’ve mentioned have one thing in common – they need to be efficient in the field and support human labor. They must be able to connect to the nature of construction so that they will be beneficial.
When compared to other industries, the construction sector developed technologies more slowly, therefore investing in them is a wise move for the sector.
It’s not too late, though; it’s simply that businesses are reluctant to entrust technology with the task in place of people.
Challenges in adopting technology in construction
Adopting technology no matter what industry you belong to, is not entirely perfect in the first use.
There are lots of adjustments to be done as a whole if it’s going to be beneficial in the long run. If it doesn’t improve the productivity and efficiency of the overall work, why adopt it?
There will always be challenges when adopting technology, especially in construction, it took how many years for this industry to adopt technology which means the traditional method was more efficient for them.
These are the challenges that I saw in adapting to technologies in the construction industry:
1. High Initial Investment
The construction industry may need to make a substantial financial commitment to adopt new technology. The cost of acquiring and implementing new technology can be high, and it requires a significant upfront investment.
- Cost of purchasing and Deploying New technologies
- Training and education costs for workers
- Integration costs with existing systems
2. Lack of Skilled Labor
The lack of trained workers is another obstacle to technology adoption in the construction industry. This industry is experiencing a skills gap, making it challenging to hire and keep employees with the knowledge required to implement new technology.
- Shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry
- The requirement for specific education and training to adapt to new technologies
- Finding and keeping talented people in the construction sector is difficult
3. Resistance to Change
It’s difficult to adapt to change, and the construction industry is no different. Because there are already established procedures and systems, some people may be reluctant to accept new technology.
Workers could be hesitant to change and worry that new technology would cause them to lose their jobs.
- Reluctance to accept new technology because of existing systems and procedures
- Fear of Change
While technology has the potential to revolutionize this industry, there are significant challenges that cannot be avoided.
With the right planning and investment, technology has the potential to improve this industry without causing any problems for companies and workers.
Will technology replace construction workers?
With the advancement of technology these days, it’s natural to wonder if technology could fully replace construction workers.
There’s been a lot of news and articles about the possibility of technology coming to take construction jobs. It may be alarming but the truth is, we are far away from that.
It is unlikely that technology will completely replace construction workers because construction is a complex and dynamic process that requires human skills and judgment.
Yes, technology can assist with these tasks, but it cannot replace the experience, creativity, and intuition of skilled construction workers.
Additionally, the construction industry is not only about physical labor, it also involves teamwork, collaboration, cooperation, and communication.
To successfully plant and build a construction project, workers must be able to communicate effectively with professionals and clients.
Technology can help to improve communication and collaboration, but it cannot replace the human relationships and interactions that are essential to construction work.
There are a lot of complicated matters when constructing a house or a building, and I believe that technology doesn’t have the potential yet to replace construction workers or even professionals.
From what I see, the construction industry has a different breed that’s why it took a very long time for them to develop advanced technologies compared to the manufacturing or healthcare industry.
While technology will continue to play an important role, as it has always been for the past several years, it is unlikely to replace construction workers entirely.
It will just be there to support the work of construction workers, making their jobs faster, easier, and more efficient.
Will construction industry ever be automated?
When we talk about automation, it refers to the use of technology to perform specific tasks without any human intervention.
As we can see the construction industry, it’s not that automated compared to industries like manufacturing.
But, there are automated activities that are happening in construction sites because automation can be in various forms such as the use of cranes, excavators, and as well as the use of software in project designing and planning.
It’s difficult to predict if the construction sector will ever be automated, but in my opinion, there’s a possibility.
Tasks like bricklaying, welding, and other repetitive tasks on the construction site are now automated in some developed countries.
On the other hand, I can still see some big challenges in planning to fully automate the construction industry because this industry is very complex.
A lot of communication and collaboration must be done by professionals just to have a successful structure of the project.
The most efficient use of technology on a construction site now, and maybe in the future, is to supplement human laborers rather than to replace them.
There must be a balance of human judgment and technological force for the construction industry to thrive.
In contrast to manufacturing, there is no current competition between human and technological labor in this area.
Advancements in technology in the construction industry
Advancements in technology in the construction industry are already starting and this will have a profound impact on changing the way buildings will be designed, constructed, and maintained.
Here are some of the advancements in technology that I’ve categorized:
1. Improved Project Planning and Design:
- Building Information Modeling (BIM): It is software that allows engineers and architects to have a virtual model of their projects.
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): These technologies will allow professionals to visualize and test buildings in real time.
2. Increased Productivity and Safety on Construction Sites:
- Drones: Drones are being for some time now to inspect, survey, and take measurements of the structure.
- Robotics and Automation: It can perform repetitive tasks with greater accuracy reducing the risk of accidents to workers and improving the quality of work.
3. Green Construction:
- Energy-efficient technologies: It made it possible to build buildings that are more energy-efficient today and reduce the carbon footprint.
- Renewable Energy Systems: Renewable energies like solar panels and wind turbines can be integrated into buildings to provide clean and sustainable energy.
4. Ongoing Observation and Maintenance:
- IoT Technology: Allows buildings to be monitored in real-time, reducing the need for manual inspections.
- Predictive Maintenance Software: To detect potential issues before they become problems.
5. Better Communication and Collaboration:
- Mobile Technology: Workers can access project information including blueprints and schematics of the building.
- Cloud-based Project Management Software: Allows construction professionals to collaborate and share information in real time, which leads to better communication and speeding up the decision-making process.
Final Thoughts
The tech in the construction industry would surely blow your hardhat off! It’s not just about bricks and beams; it’s a thrilling journey of innovation.
Keep your eyes on the horizon of tech in construction; it’s a boundless journey of transformation.
From 3D-printed wonders to high-tech tools, technology is reshaping the way we create. The future of construction is an exhilarating adventure, and we’re building it one innovation at a time!
