10 Top Technology Trends for the Construction Industry in 2019
By Ashutosh Jha →
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
The construction industry is booming, growing, and changing at a dramatic pace. It's expected to become a $1.4 trillion industry in the next two years.
And technology is poised to change the way business is done within this growing sector.
By integrating new technology into construction scenes, managers can boost productivity. And construction pros can drastically drop costs.
Wondering what kinds of construction technology is building on the horizon? We've picked out the 10 top technology trends that are bound to reshape construction.
But more and more, new construction technology is making its way onto construction sites. There are even professionals that help businesses use new construction technology, learn more here.
That's because technology has the potential to up precision, lower costs, and improve efficiency. Some estimates suggest human mistakes on the construction scene could account for $30 billion in lost money annually. Technology could put that staggering amount of money back in the pockets of construction leaders.
Here are the top technology trends paving the way for big change within the construction industry:
It can be used to give workers a realistic, 3D look at the ins and outs of a construction site. That means it could improve training and make construction work much safer.
It also could lead to new design possibilities. Designers are now getting 3D blueprints to work with. That means they can explore and test out new ideas without wasting materials on a busted project.
Some new construction technology, like a material unit lift enhancer, can make it easy for workers to lift objects as heavy as 135 pounds. And there are now robotic arms that can lift thousands of pounds with precision and ease.
This could cut down on-site injuries and make the daily strain of construction work way easier.
Heart monitoring systems can help warn workers on the brink of medical disasters. And tracking technology can locate workers if an on-site catastrophe hits.
There are also wearable exoskeletons popping up on construction sites. This futuristic construction technology could reduce injuries and increase production.
And human-operated excavators are being built to run on electric power. That could mean construction sites are cleaner and more efficient.
These self-driving machines have the potential to dramatically improve productivity. They can work more quietly than traditional vehicles and could be working long after humans go to bed. That means jobs can be finished faster.
These giant 3D printers take digital commands and use them to build houses, layer by layer.
3D printing houses and buildings could cut down the costs of spilled materials or botched jobs. And they don't have to eat or sleep. That means houses can be built at a much faster rate than traditional jobs.
They also have the potential to completely change the way houses and buildings are designed. Robotic arms are making it possible to pour quick-drying concrete in curved shapes with ease.
This means designers aren't as tied to traditional designs.
And these 3D models can be tweaked and shared. That means teams can work together and build on one another's construction ideas with ease.
And things like remote site monitoring systems let people check in on jobs from afar. That could let managers keep a watch on the employees more often and safeguard against mistakes or injuries.
They are able to use these materials in roads and 3D printed homes.
Construction leaders are also starting to use new materials like self-healing concrete. This substance uses a bacteria that germinates when water spills into concrete cracks. That can then fill in the gaps and restore structures.
Managers are using GPS to track fleets and make sure supplies are moving to the right spaces. Improved location accuracy can also point out the least congested and most convenient travel routes.
This new construction technology also can help business owners track down stolen equipment.
They are able to do these tasks cheaper and faster than a team of workers. And they can fly into areas that could be difficult to get to otherwise.
Want to learn how to use technology to promote a business? Read more here about how to use the latest digital marketing tools to connect with customers.
And technology is poised to change the way business is done within this growing sector.
By integrating new technology into construction scenes, managers can boost productivity. And construction pros can drastically drop costs.
The Future for Top Technology Trends
Throughout the last century, the demand for construction has grown. And the market has avoided large disruptions in that timeframe.But more and more, new construction technology is making its way onto construction sites. There are even professionals that help businesses use new construction technology, learn more here.
That's because technology has the potential to up precision, lower costs, and improve efficiency. Some estimates suggest human mistakes on the construction scene could account for $30 billion in lost money annually. Technology could put that staggering amount of money back in the pockets of construction leaders.
Here are the top technology trends paving the way for big change within the construction industry:
1. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality and augmented reality lets users experience realistic digital scenes. It's as if they are actually on-site. And there are tons of new applications for this technology in construction.It can be used to give workers a realistic, 3D look at the ins and outs of a construction site. That means it could improve training and make construction work much safer.
It also could lead to new design possibilities. Designers are now getting 3D blueprints to work with. That means they can explore and test out new ideas without wasting materials on a busted project.
2. Robotics
There is a growing fear of robots replacing construction workers. But robotics also could make life in construction way easier for humans.Some new construction technology, like a material unit lift enhancer, can make it easy for workers to lift objects as heavy as 135 pounds. And there are now robotic arms that can lift thousands of pounds with precision and ease.
This could cut down on-site injuries and make the daily strain of construction work way easier.
3. Wearable Technology
Wearable technology can drastically improve safety for construction workers. Things like 3D glasses or Google Glass could eliminate the need to look down at instructions. That means workers can stay more alert to dangers around them.Heart monitoring systems can help warn workers on the brink of medical disasters. And tracking technology can locate workers if an on-site catastrophe hits.
There are also wearable exoskeletons popping up on construction sites. This futuristic construction technology could reduce injuries and increase production.
4. Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles are being developed to carry materials and drive on routes that might be set on dangerous terrain. That could protect against disastrous accidents.And human-operated excavators are being built to run on electric power. That could mean construction sites are cleaner and more efficient.
These self-driving machines have the potential to dramatically improve productivity. They can work more quietly than traditional vehicles and could be working long after humans go to bed. That means jobs can be finished faster.
5. 3D Printing
Some predict the 3D printing industry to hit $7 billion in the next five years. And construction companies are already printing houses.These giant 3D printers take digital commands and use them to build houses, layer by layer.
3D printing houses and buildings could cut down the costs of spilled materials or botched jobs. And they don't have to eat or sleep. That means houses can be built at a much faster rate than traditional jobs.
They also have the potential to completely change the way houses and buildings are designed. Robotic arms are making it possible to pour quick-drying concrete in curved shapes with ease.
This means designers aren't as tied to traditional designs.
6. Building Information Models
Building information models, or BIMs, let workers use interactive 3D displays of structures. That means they can work with realistic virtual models without having to break ground.And these 3D models can be tweaked and shared. That means teams can work together and build on one another's construction ideas with ease.
7. Communications Software
Software is connecting construction teams like never before. Since plans can be updated and stored in the Cloud, workers can now access and change plans while they work.And things like remote site monitoring systems let people check in on jobs from afar. That could let managers keep a watch on the employees more often and safeguard against mistakes or injuries.
8. New Materials
New construction trends are making environmentally friendly structures a reality. More and more, groups are recycling things like waste plastics.They are able to use these materials in roads and 3D printed homes.
Construction leaders are also starting to use new materials like self-healing concrete. This substance uses a bacteria that germinates when water spills into concrete cracks. That can then fill in the gaps and restore structures.
9. Advanced GPS
GPS has been around for a while, but it's advancing quickly. And it's promoting productivity in construction zones.Managers are using GPS to track fleets and make sure supplies are moving to the right spaces. Improved location accuracy can also point out the least congested and most convenient travel routes.
This new construction technology also can help business owners track down stolen equipment.
10. Drones
Drones are small, mobile, and they don't cost much to maintain. They're being used to take overhead shots, build detailed 3D models, and survey areas.They are able to do these tasks cheaper and faster than a team of workers. And they can fly into areas that could be difficult to get to otherwise.
More Technology Trends for Every Business
These 10 top technology trends are positioned to change the construction business. And technology is improving companies well beyond construction.Want to learn how to use technology to promote a business? Read more here about how to use the latest digital marketing tools to connect with customers.
