Technology That is Changing the Construction Industry
Many of us have always questioned the future of robots on whether this will help or hinder our society. Every day, construction industry technology is being integrated into them for various types of projects. From augmented reality as a training tool to drones that can confirm the productivity of the project at hand, there is no stopping the future of robotic technology.
Onsite Robots
Drones have penetrated hundreds of industries already. There are endless possibilities with drones in the construction industry. Drones can provide safety, assurance of the quality of work, and project productivity. Drones within the construction industry can also track moveable objects like vehicles and can report information and analytics almost instantly.
Construction Robotics created SAM100, a bricklaying robot that can lay 3,000 bricks a day while the average person lays 300. A Tennessee company used SAM100 last year with very successful results. Hadrian X by Fastbrick Robotics can lay 1,000 per hour. The Rob Unit built the Manchester City Community Wall as well as an art exhibition titled “explorations” that represented how far we have come with technology and construction.
Robotic technology comes with a lot of benefits, instead of assuming that technology will eventually displace construction jobs it can actually help jobs become safer. Steve Muck, CEO of Brayman Construction created a robot called Tybot who ties rebar to create bridge decks during bridge builds. Tying rebar is a very hazardous and unsafe job. This robot can save the company from injuries and cut production times in half.
Virtual Reality for the Construction Industry
Virtual reality also plays a huge role in the future of the construction industry, especially for training. A new training facility in Nevada allows students to use VR to practice driving heavy equipment like wheel loaders. This technology also recruits the younger generations to the construction industry by giving them a chance to use VR to experience the job for themselves. This technology also game-ifies the work which could be a great way to hook millennials into this industry.
Construction Tech to Improve Productivity
New technologies in the construction industry are providing opportunities to better productivity. Technology-equipped heavy equipment and brand new machinery will now be able to pull insights on the project, timing, inventory and maintenance of the vehicle. Being aware of what needs to be fixed or what stock will be in need can benefit the productivity rates of a company.
Repetitive and dangerous jobs within the construction industry have been a huge focus when it comes to technology. Creating safer and quicker completion of projects can help the company win more bids and not have to worry about project deadlines or the safety of crews.
An example of a construction tech piece that can really improve productivity, and uses robots, is the SAM100. SAM is a brick-laying robot that can build a wall builder than any human.
Some technologies listed above will take a few more years to finally develop and become a normal part of the construction workday. As for right now, there are many great construction industry technology discoveries making the job site safer and the labor easier. The mix of technology and construction is long overdue and will most likely benefit the industry than hinder it.
