The Nine Trends That Are Disrupting Construction Right Now

Outsourcing in the construction industry is one factor behind the major changes.

But one of the biggest driving forces behind the many recent changes is new technology. Find out what to look for and how they may affect your business. Construction is an innovative industry. The firms use the best technology of the time to build architectural marvels. Outsourcing in the construction industry is just one of the many game changers around. Companies can be rest assured. With management equipped with over 17 years of experience in the construction and engineering industry, Cybalink is an industry expert in outsourcing in the construction industry. And they’re changing the face of offshore efficiency. The trend towards outsourcing construction isn’t the only change. Younger professionals are also changing the landscape of the construction industry. How? Sad fact, by steering away from it.

In a 2017 report, the NAHB Economics and Housing Policy Group corroborated this. They surveyed young adults who haven’t decided on a career. Of that group surveyed, 63% said that there was “little to no chance” of them entering a construction trade. Many cited that they wanted a career that was less demanding. While others believed that the work was too difficult. New technologies have impacted many industries and it is also changing the way the construction industry operates – which could be good news – because technologies tend to attract young professionals. Every construction companies want to stand out from their competitors. So, they need an edge to stand out from the crowd. The younger generation may not see the appeal of entering the construction industry. So to tackle that, companies look for dynamic ways to be current and relevant. That is by adopting new technologies and implementing  innovations. Albeit used as a draw-in to attract the younger generations, advancing with technologies does much more than just that – it provides benefits that allows the companies to remain competitive. Technology can increase project efficiency and streamline certain processes. The construction industry strives to maintain a competitive edge in this changing landscape. But to find the right balance, challenges must be conquered. Find out what to expect and how technology has disrupted (or can disrupt) the industry.

How Technology Is Disrupting the Construction Industry

Modern construction sites may be unrecognisable to their counterparts a century ago. Imagine a site without power tools, heavy machinery, or data sensors. The sites are still a bustling place. But many workers now use remote options to increase safety and efficiency. Some companies use outsource construction options to help analyse BIM data. They collect data in different ways with mobile devices, wearables, and sensors. The need for so much data may increase the number of technologies used on a site, and at the same time. it can also reduce the number of team members needed on-site. Gathering data remotely is just one of the ways that technology changes the industry. Not all companies are ready to embrace these new changes, though. New technology also comes with added problems. Companies need to invest capital, re-train, and sometimes restructure the way they do things. In an industry that’s slow to embrace change, these advancements may make or break a company. Find out about other advancements that can disrupt the industry. The face of this age-old profession is changing. Are you prepared for it?

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#1 – 3D Blueprtints

As mentioned before, BIM data is one of the biggest trends in the construction industry. Using 3D Blueprints is another piece of the BIM puzzle. 3D blueprints can be useful at different stages of the project. Depending on the software, you can plan, design, and construct buildings and infrastructure. Blueprints often change hands many times during the life of a project. And that can lead to mistakes. But using one modelling software from beginning to end can minimize the risk of those errors. It’s also easier for team members to relay ideas and design intent using 3D blueprint software.

#2 – Augmented Reality

Soldiers, pilots, and surgeons are just some professionals that use VR and AR technology to train. Its application in the construction industry could change the face of how many companies operate. Imagine the implications if construction companies can drastically improve safety on site. They could use AR to develop better safety plans or even train operators for heavy equipment. Workers can use AR to find out if specific areas of a job site are safe using integrated displays on their equipment. Trainers and safety managers can also monitor workers as they go through tasks. Companies that outsource construction tasks can delegate more responsibilities as you may not need the teams to visit the actual construction site as often. There are endless possibilities that the construction industry could take advantage of the AR technologies in ensuring safety precautions by training workers in AR how to react during calamities or emergency situations. Then there’s also the possibility for a site show walk-through and even a show-video of what the site could look like at the end of the project. 

#3 – Drones

The use of drones has expanded in the last year. The mining and agriculture industries are taking advantage of the drone approach for certain tasks. But the biggest jump came in the construction industry. At a 239% increase in just a year, the construction industry seems to embrace drones with open arms. And it’s no wonder with its numerous applications.

Drones can:

• Collect real-time data
• Provide aerial insights 
• Map job sites to the nooks and cranny

The construction industry uses this data in various ways: They can track progress on a site and catch problems before they cost the company money. Drone tracking capabilities also frees up contractor time while adding enormous amounts of data.

#4 – Information Sharing

Nowadays, it seems like everything has a platform. Movie streaming, social media, you name it, you can most likely find it online. So it’s no surprise then that industry-specific platforms are making a big splash. The construction industry has its own platform to share projects, resources, and financials. The exact features may vary depending on the software platform chosen. But you can look forward to similar features like:

• Full project visibility for owners
• Schedule and budget management for general contractors
• Field and office team collaboration for specialty contractors

The platform shares each stage of the project from preconstruction to financial management. This is very convenient for companies who outsource construction tasks.

#5 – Scaffolding Robot

Scaffolding takes a lot of time to transport and assemble and disassemble. But they are a necessity for construction sites. Most companies can’t get around using scaffolding. Erecting a scaffolding takes a lot of time. Up to 80% of that time involves manual transport of the components. However, one company designed a robot to alleviate this problem. And it’s a game-changer. The robot itself moves along horizontal and vertical tracks of the scaffolding. It has built-in sensors to detect the end of the track and move autonomously. Using this robot can help improve efficiency and productivity on-site, as how it could safety assistance to tricky construction projects that could put workers on a compromise.

#6 – Bricklaying Robot

Scaffolding solutions aren’t the only thing robots can do. The modern construction site is changing. And the bricklaying robot is another innovation that streamlines the process. This robot brings a variety of benefits:

• Low installation costs
• Consistent production
• Increased productivity
• Improved worker safety
• Work collaboration with the mason

In addition, it has daily performance report capabilities. That means you get insight into job issues and productivity every day and in real-time.

#7 – MULE

https://www.construction-robotics.com/mule/

The Material Unit Lift Enhancer or MULE may not seem as innovative as some of the flashier tech options. But that simplicity is what may make its adoption onto your construction site easier. Simply put, it’s designed to help with heavy lifting and placing materials. The robotic arm can lift up to 135lb or 61.2kg. It reduces instances of manual fatigue and injuries. It also increases productivity for certain tasks.

#8 – The Guardian

If you need a robotic assistant with more flexibility, the Guardian GT may be the solution. It can do basic tasks like heavy lifting. But it can also do precision processes like welding and joining. The system has one or two dexterous arms on a wheeled or track base. These options allow you to customise the type of Guardian you need. And you only need one operator to control it.

#9 – Autonomous Trucks

Trucks are a common sight on a project. But what if you could reduce the risk to your workers while improving productivity? Autonomous trucks are remote-controlled systems. They can cut costs and run without operators. They’re also capable of carrying a payload of up to 250 tons. And operators control the trucks remotely.

Making Use of the Latest Technology Trends

The construction industry is infamous for its slow adoption of technology. It can disrupt the way companies do things on the job. But maybe, in this case, the change is for the better. Imagine having technology that improves worker safety and productivity while cutting costs. You can even streamline data sharing processes for a project. And that’s useful for companies that outsource construction tasks for offshore efficiency. The challenge is finding the right tech to adopt for your company’s needs. You may not need every innovation in the market. There may be a couple that can disrupt your work routine – for the better. Are you ready to streamline your job site processes? Cybalink Solutions has over 17 years of experience in the construction and engineering industry.

Get in touch today to book a confidential call with our co-founders Kim Lombardi and John Rodgers.

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