As 2019 winds down and you are looking toward a new year with new opportunity, here are some construction industry trends specific to construction technology to watch out for.
1. Robotics
What once was the newcomer to the construction industry has made considerable progress in adoption and implementation. Two years ago, the prediction was made that 2020 would be the year robotics took over the construction industry and the penetration of this technology is promising.
By adding robotics, construction companies are easing the burden of labor shortages, improving the quality of builds, and the time to complete a project—saving these companies money.
2. 3D Printing
Like robotics, 3D printing also helps when labor and talent are hard to find. 3D Printing provides for prefabrication on-site or offsite, which reduces labor costs and material costs. The amount of waste produced by the contractor is also reduced compared to typical construction builds.
3. Modular and Prefabricated Construction
This is a growing trend because of the ability to save construction companies time, energy and material costs. In fact, this market is expected to reach $157 billion by 2023. While these concepts aren’t new to construction, they are certainly getting more attention and making a comeback with a much better reputation than they once had. Why? Improvements to quality, durability and aesthetics have greatly improved reducing the stigma. Fewer materials are wasted, and faster assembly on-site is great for areas in a housing crisis.
4. Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mix Reality (MR)
More and more design and construction teams are using this technology. It helps to improve designs, can reduce safety issues that are often unknown and uncovers errors in the design. It is a money saver for projects overall—whether on the safety issues that creep up or on errors that result in costly changes to the project.
5. Construction Software
Project management software solutions are getting more advanced and are providing a competitive edge to contractors using them effectively. New software is bundling what once was individual solutions into a consolidated single solution. Timekeeping, scheduling and project management are combined to provide a full picture.
Equipment management software is moving from a nice-to-have to a need-to-have. Why? Competitive edge and savings for your business. Managing your entire mixed equipment fleet can save you money on unnecessary rentals, purchases and/or internal moves. Like project management software, having everything bundled on one platform provides better visibility and efficiencies across the business.
Overall, these trends look to save companies money, reduce the burden of labor shortages, enhance the processes and effectiveness of a business, and reduce waste for a more sustainable industry.
Looking for construction industry challenges for 2020? You can find them here.
References:
7 Construction Industry Trends to Watch in 2020
10 Construction Industry Trends to Look for in 2020
2020 Engineering and Construction Industry Outlook