Technology advances will reshape sector

The construction industry has a history of innovation that has resulted in significant advances in the types of buildings that are produced. As it emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic the expectation is the industry will continue to see further technological advances reshaping it.

According to McKinsey construction companies were already investing in technology before Covid-19. The pandemic resulted in a rapid increase in collaboration technology and is expected to drive a net acceleration in the use of technology as the construction industry transforms “from a highly complex, fragmented and project-based industry to a more standardised, consolidated and integrated one”.

McKinsey says construction technology is still a heavily fragmented, point solutionsdriven market with ample opportunity for integration plays that create new platforms or attractive component acquisition targets for growing incumbent platforms.

Among the technologies to keep an eye on is augmented reality (AR) which offers huge potential for the construction sector. Simply put, AR provides a digital layer of information to enhance a real world view and could be used to automate measurements, visualise modifications or provide safety information.

Given the safety risks association with the construction industry, construction wearables are another technology to consider. There are already a number of construction wearables available including smart boots which are able to detect workers at risk of colliding with nearby construction vehicles equipped with sensors. Smart hard hats, on the other hand, use brainwaves to detect “microsleeps ”— short sleeps which are measured in seconds — which put construction workers at risk of injury.

Power gloves help to increase dexterity and strength and reduce the risk of injury as a result of overuse. Smartwatches, monitors and goggles improve worker safety and can even be used to check for worker fatigue.

Although protective construction exoskeletons have yet to go mainstream, experts are of the opinion that they will become mainstream in the future. Also known as exosuits, robotic exoskeletons have motorised joints that mimic the human skeleton and provide additional support during repetitive movements such as bending, lifting and grabbing.

DRONES

Drones are also likely to be a feature of construction sites in the future to provide mapping during the pre-construction phase, to keep track of equipment on site and to assist with security surveillance. They can also potentially be used to report on progress and to conduct building inspections.

In the future it is likely that construction robots will be a feature of many construction sites. McKinsey maintains there are major opportunities for cutting edge robotics applications for repetitive construction tasks such as brick laying, road paving and 3D printing of building materials, while artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will provide efficient and intelligent decision-making. These two technologies are expected to ultimately affect every aspect of a construction project from planning to project close.

Machine learning software can analyse job sites and identify risks and safety violations as well as identify inefficiencies and propose more effective timelines.

Although still in its infancy and still relatively new and untested, particularly for largescale construction projects, 3D printing is also likely to make its mark on the construction sector in the future. Building information modelling — the process of creating a digital representation or model of a structure before building it — is already in use and is helping the sector to anticipate challenges, improving communication by providing a central hub for upto-date and accurate reference documentation and by providing owners with information about every detail of the building. McKinsey says that building information modelling is becoming ubiquitous among major firms.

The mandate for change and technological adoption in construction has never been stronger, says McKinsey, adding that the construction technology space is growing rapidly. There is no question that technological advances will assist the construction sector to innovate and improve processes and safety.