Now that we’re settling back into the grind of work, let’s take a look at the top construction technology trends to watch that can help achieve these goals and set us up for long-term success.
TREND #1: Using robots to address labor shortages
That’s right, this futuristic improbability is now a growing reality—robots on construction sites. A shortage of skilled workers has the industry looking for ways to maximise output using existing resources.
TREND #2: Moving beyond point solutions to integrated platforms
End-user feedback is showing us that construction technology vendors are realising the drawbacks of multiple-point solutions and shifting toward building robust integrated platforms. Trimble Construction One is among the emerging integrated platforms, giving customers access to more than 40 Trimble applications with capabilities that span every phase of construction projects.
TREND #3: Investing in digital processes
For some organisations, this will be their first investment in digital transformation—taking processes from paper to pixels. For others, this will be an additional investment to improve already-digital document management, design processes and field operations, and obtaining critical data to drive business decisions.
TREND #4: Integrating BIM and GIS data for asset management
Basically, BIM-GIS integration improves design accuracy and completeness of existing conditions and design.
TREND #5: Increasing use of digital twins
Digital twins are a digital representation of a real-world object, so in construction, a digital twin would be a digital replica of a physical building or municipal asset (like a road or highway). Having a digital twin of an asset can improve operation, maintenance and planning methods.
TREND #6: Employing technology to advance sustainability
Sustainability has secured a seat at the head of the table in the construction industry, and it’s not going anywhere.
TREND #7: Embracing autonomous machinery
The construction industry is catching on to the capabilities of autonomous machinery, especially after seeing the major success in the mining industry over the last 30 years. Construction companies are likely to see similar productivity and efficiency gains by embracing autonomous machinery.
TREND #8: Continuing shifts to cloud-based software
Over the next few years, we’ll see the last of the stragglers join in on cloud-based solutions. The industry has realised that these solutions provide less hassle and more opportunities to collaborate effectively across all project phases, so it’s inevitable that everyone will want to join in!
- Reduced risk of hitting underground utilities
- Better decision making
- More streamlined workflows, particularly when issues arise
