It is an exciting time for the construction industry. Although traditionally reluctant to embrace technological change, economic constraints and long-term labor shortages are forcing contractors to search for new ways to enhance productivity.
This trend has not escaped the attention of investors. Seeing the industry as ripe for disruption, they have begun funding technology companies that are developing the next generation of construction software and hardware tools.
Pushed to move beyond legacy models, traditionally conservative construction companies have begun migrating their data management to the cloud. Forced to do more with less, contractors continue looking for ways to deal with a shortage of skilled laborers.
Here are the top five technology trends for contractors to keep an eye on in 2018:
- Fabrication Alternatives: Many are turning to offsite fabrication, assembling everything up to whole residence away from the jobsite. To deal with the myriad logistical details of new fabrication and production techniques, many projects are now being built under the design-build model, meaning a single team provides design and construction services, rather than the services being contracted separately.
- Sustainable Materials:The construction industry has begun to look at alternatives to traditional building materials. Sustainable materials are gaining market traction because of their durability and safety—not just because of the feel-good quality of environmental sustainability.
- Computer Imaging: Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications are being developed for the construction industry. VR is finding its place as a training tool. AR applications can allow project managers to better visualize the progress of construction projects, superimposing renderings and plans over the in-progress jobsite.
- Building Information Modeling: The development of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology will drive innovation in Building information Modeling (BIM) methodology by using sensors and Internet-enabled devices to provide real-life data to guide physical construction. The technology used in smart buildings will provide the data to teach builders to design even better structures.
- Increasing Innovation: As the adoption of technology continues to increase productivity and efficiency in the construction industry, investment in the development of technology will increase. The industry is on the cusp of an innovative cycle that will continue transforming it for years to come.
Dr. Sergey Sundukovskiy is co-founder and chief technology and product officer for Raken, based in San Diego.
