The Top 6 Wearable Technologies in Construction

Already starting to revolutionize the construction industry, wearable technology improves safety, efficiency, and productivity on the job site. From smart helmets to augmented reality glasses, there are a wide variety of options for workers to choose from. In this blog, we'll explore some of the best construction wearables currently on the market that can help construction workers maximize performance on any project.

#1: Smart Hard Hats

Smart hard hats are a new type of safety wearable designed to provide workers with additional safety and functionality on the job site. Coming equipped with advanced technology including sensors, cameras, and communication systems, this type of equipment can help your team boost its productivity.

One of the key features of smart hard hats is their ability to detect and alert workers to potential hazards. Often equipped with sensors that can detect dangerous levels of noise, gases, or other safety issues, they alert the wearer through auditory and visual signals. This feature is especially helpful in industries like construction, mining, and oil and gas, where workers are frequently exposed to hazards on the job site that limit their ability to hear or see.

These high-tech hard hats are a new and exciting development in wearable safety technology that can help workers stay safe and connected on the job site. The benefits of this advanced equipment are likely to make them an increasingly popular tool for construction workers and will increase your performance and efficiency the day you start using them.

Some examples of these wearables include:

• Daqri Smart Helmet
• Honeywell Connected Worker
• The Kask Preda Smart Helmet
• STIHL Smart Helmet

Benefits:

• Improved safety: Equipped with sensors and other technology to detect and alert workers to hazards.
• Enhanced communication: Come with built-in microphones and speakers, allowing workers to easily communicate with each other and supervisors.
• Customization: Some models can be customized with different sensors and technology, depending on the specific needs of the job site.
• Increased productivity: Consistently helps to improve worker performance and efficiency.
• Navigation and access to information: Some models have built-in navigation systems or augmented reality technology, helping workers find their way around the job site or access important information about their tasks.

#2: Construction Smartwatches

Popular across North America, smartwatches are known for their ability to track physical activity and heart rate monitoring. However, they can also be a valuable tool for construction workers, offering a variety of features that benefits employees on the job site like being hands-free.

The most commonly used feature of smartwatches is their health monitoring system, which tracks heart rate, steps, calories burned, and other metrics. This can be useful for workers who are trying to stay healthy and active on the job but can also let users know when their heart rate is too high and they need to take a break.

Smartwatches can also be beneficial for safety and communication. Capable of providing emergency SOS alerts and also sometimes equipped with fall detection, your watch can let others know if accidents occur on the construction site. Many also have built-in messaging and notification abilities, which allows workers to stay in touch with coworkers and supervisors, and receive important updates without pulling out their phones.

Whether you're a seasoned construction pro or about to work your first job, a durable smartwatch is a great addition to your toolkit.

Some examples of these wearables include:

• Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar
• Fitbit Versa 3
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Suunto 9 Baro

Benefits of smartwatches:

• Enhanced productivity: Helps workers stay organized and on top of tasks by providing access to important information and features.
• Health tracking: Allows workers to continually monitor their health while on-site
• Navigation: Many watches have built-in GPS for workers who need directions to and from job sites or want to track their location at all times.
• Safety: SOS alerts, fall detection, and other safety features can be lifesavers in case of emergency
• Communication: Allows workers to stay connected to their colleagues and receive updates and notifications in real-time
• Equipment Monitoring: Can be used to monitor the status and performance of various pieces of equipment, alerting workers to issues or maintenance needs

#3: Exoskeletons

A type of wearable technology specially designed to provide additional support to the user's body, exoskeletons are often misconstrued by the general public. These bodysuits are often seen as something that will provide you with super strength when in reality their purpose is to allow for easier lifting and moving of objects. Rather than offering more strength, it helps you to perform the tasks you already are capable of with more ease and less risk.

Construction workers are often called upon to lift and move heavy objects. As one of the most physically grueling industries, employees suffer excessive strain on their bodies, leading to injuries with potential long-term repercussions. With extra support from an exoskeleton, workers can reduce their risk of injury, and maintain better health now and in the future.

Along with reducing injuries, exoskeletons also increase productivity on the job site. By allowing workers to perform physically demanding tasks more easily, employees will be able to complete their jobs more quickly. This gets more assignments done over the course of a day, saving time and money while making employees happier.

Some examples of companies working on these wearables include:

• Ekso Bionics
• Cyberdyne
• Rewalk Robotics
• Panasonic
• Toyota

Benefits of exoskeletons in construction:

• Reduced risk of injury: Extra support and assistance help workers reduce current and long-term health problems
• Customization: Increased comfort and effectiveness are provided through available customization of the exoskeleton
• Versatility: Great for a variety of applications, making them useful across the construction industry
• Reduced costs: Saves time and money by improving productivity and reducing worker injury/downtime

#4: Smart Glasses

Designed to enhance performance, smart glasses are changing the way construction workers perform their tasks. With a number of features making them especially helpful, they are without a doubt one of the best wearable technologies in the industry.

Smart glasses can be used in a variety of construction projects to record and stream video, which is incredibly useful for training purposes or for documenting work processes. They can also display information for workers in real time, like if they need access to instructions or diagrams while working on a project.

Possibly the most convenient wearable construction technology on the market, smart glasses are a valuable tool for helping workers perform their tasks more efficiently and effectively. Capable of helping you stay organized, informed, and productive, they should be a consideration of any professional in the industry.

Some examples of these wearables include:

• Daqri Smart Glasses
• Vuzix M300XL
• Epson Moverio BT-30C
• Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2

Benefits:

• Real-time information: Able to display instructions, diagrams, and other important information, workers can have access to the information they need without stopping their work or needing to take their hands off their tools.
• Video recording and streaming: Capable of recording videos while a worker completes a task, which is extraordinarily helpful for training and documentation.
• Improved safety: Gives access to safety guidelines and procedures, helping to avoid accidents and injuries.
• Cost savings: Minimizes costs by reducing the need for paper documents and making training more efficient.

#5: Bodywear and Wearable Sensors

Bodywear technology is an increasingly important aspect of construction work and helps improve safety, efficiency, and comfort on the job.

One type of popular bodywear technology is wearable sensors. They can be placed on various parts of the body, such as the wrists, ankles, or chest, and are used to monitor a range of data. Keeping track of heart rate, body temperature, fatigue levels, and more, this data is used to help workers avoid accidents and injuries by giving them warnings when they are at risk of over-exertion.

Other bodywear technology used in construction can include smart helmets and wearable cameras. These can be used to enhance communication, safety, performance, documentation, and hazard awareness. Revolutionizing the industry, wearable sensors can let supervisors know if their crew is overworked, giving them the chance to help their employees succeed.

Some examples of companies working on these wearables include:

• Triax Technologies
• SafetyAware
• Myotec
• Wearables Plus
• MONITOREO

Benefits:

• Improved safety: Prevents overworking and accidents by monitoring biometric data.
• Greater accuracy: Workers can record and document progress and hazards more accurately, improving the overall quality of the project.
• Increased efficiency: Helps workers access needed information and communicate with colleagues, making the job run more smoothly.

#6: Smart Boots

There may be no piece of equipment that a construction worker relies on as much as their work boots. Necessary to keep you safe and comfortable, there have been many recent advancements in boot technology that can help you perform better and increase the durability of essential footwear.

Equipped with pressure detection sensors, smart boots can detect falls or shocks sustained by workers and call for help. Location sensing is also a feature of many models, allowing workers to accurately track their whereabouts with technology more sensitive than even GPS. These features obviously require charging, but with technology in the heel of the boot, this footwear can stay charged by walking, making them last longer than a normal charge would allow.

Along with their advanced technology, smart boots also improve on comfort and efficiency features. Many models have padded insoles and breathable linings to help reduce fatigue and keep the feet comfortable during a shift. Some smart boots are also equipped with non-slip soles to improve traction and stability on a variety of surfaces.

Some examples of these wearables include:

• Timberland PRO Smartwool
• Red Wing Smart Boot
• Danner Smart Boot
• Wolverine Smart Boot
• Under Armour Smart Boot

Benefits:

• Improved safety: Tracking biometric data and monitoring for falls or shocks are both features that help improve safety by reducing the risk of accidents and sending alerts in case of emergencies.
• Comfort: Padded insoles, breathable linings, and more features help reduce fatigue and keep workers comfortable
• Increased efficiency: Non-slip soles give more traction to enhance performance, and with a great pair of work boots workers will be more productive throughout the day

Wearable technology in construction is going to provide construction workers and construction sites with more efficiency and safety than ever before. These are exciting changes and should only work to empower the laborer.

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