Innovative technology within construction

Despite this, technology is rapidly evolving and the industry is continually looking for ways to innovate and improve its processes. Electronic Specifier highlights the main technologies used within the industry.

Augmented reality

Augmented reality (AR) can be used in construction to spot when building work goes wrong, XYZ Reality has created AR headsets for the industry. These headset devices will make it easier for those inspecting a site to notice when building works are deviating from original plans and allow construction managers to decide whether the works or the plans need changing. Using lasers to sweep across the building site and locate the helmets, the XYZ system taps into the site coordinate system to put the AR building exactly where it should be in your vision.

Of course, there are reasons why building works might have to deviate from plans, including changes in the environment. What’s important is for a construction manager to walk the site and spot such deviations and decide whether they, or the plans need fixing.

Construction workers could also use AR to point a tablet at a wall, and the tablet could display the building plans for the wall as if they were part of the physical environment. Other applications include using AR technology to automate measurements and provide safety information.

Wearables and exoskeletons

Wearable technology offers the possibility to prevent injuries and death across the construction industry, providing added safety for workers. Examples include smart boots, smart hard hats and power gloves.

Construction exoskeletons are wearable machines with motorised joints providing extra support and power during bending, lifting and grabbing, repetitive movements. They can also reduce injuries and increase efficiency for workers. Back, shoulder and crouch support exosuits are examples of exoskeletons being used on construction sites.

Robots

Robots have not yet been widely adopted in the construction industry, however there are examples where they have been used on projects.

In September 2020, construction began on the UK’s first robot built house. The machine was controlled by a tablet using a sophisticated software control system to read digitised architectural plans. Two workers were needed to operate the robot, load materials into it and complete the work it was not able to do, such as installing dam-proof coursing.

Drones

Drones have already contributed to construction, and in 2022 their influence is set to grow. Various drones with different applications can make a difference at sites, including topographic mapping, equipment tracking and security surveillance.

Topographic mapping is used during the preconstruction phase where large amounts of land are surveyed quickly. Such drones can reduce mapping costs by as much as 95%.

Drones can keep track of all equipment on site, as well as monitor a site 24/7 with security surveillance.

3D printing

Though 3D printing in construction is still in its infancy, entire housed have already been printed. For example, ICON’s automated construction robot, Vulcan, has printed a house within 24 hours.

Other ways that 3D printing can influence construction is through making efficient use of raw materials, thus producing less waste, increasing the speed of building and eliminating errors.

Blockchain

Existing since 2008, blockchain technology, first used in digital currency, allows digital information to be recorded and stored in transactional public database, that is peer-to-peer controlled or verified by a network of computers. Key features of blockchain technology include security, decentralised approach, and scalability. Blockchain is likely to influence areas of construction management, including drawing up contracts and payment.

Innovation

The construction industry it is evolving continuously, and the technologies discussed within this article will be especially valuable, and vital in the industry at present, and in the future. Arguably, there has never been a more exciting time to be part of the industry. As it continues to evolve at an accelerated pace, innovations will bring about even more advancements.