2019: What’s On the Horizon for Construction Technology

By Trimble.

Technological advancements have improved construction efficiencies and increased production.

We’re excited to look at the top technology trends that you should be aware of for 2019.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Analytics

Despite the construction sector being worth more than $10 trillion a year, it severely lags compared to other industries when it comes to digitization. While the term Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short, may seem like old news to some, it’s still in the very early stages for the construction industry. One of the major issues that the construction industry will continue to face in 2019 is the labor shortage and retention problem. To tackle this, leaders can apply AI methods and algorithms to segment employees based on likelihood of attrition. Beyond retention however, AI tools can take the tedious tasks involved in project forecasting, and within minutes, regurgitate the most efficient scenario. Talk about time and money savings.

3D Printing, Prefabrication and Modularization

Modular construction is a popular method used in construction to build as much off-site before taking things on-site. When it comes to on-site construction, there are often times indirect impacts to the project like having to block off roads, finding parking for large equipment, disrupting facilities and more. This is where the importance of modular construction, or prefabrication comes into play. To look at this through a different lens, think about a mechanical contractor working on medical gas at a hospital. It’s vital that the patients and staff are impacted in the most minimal way possible, so prefabricating materials off-site becomes the answer. In 2019, we’re seeing the use of 3D Printing, Prefabrication and Modularization in construction become more and more popular in order to avoid those unnecessary roadblocks on-site.

Construction Software and Mobile Applications

The construction industry’s dependence on mobile construction technology will continue to evolve. Real-time collaboration is becoming more and more crucial in the construction process and is often times the key to success on any given project. What used to take hours at the kitchen table every night with papers sprawled everywhere can now happen from the palm of your hand, in the front seat of your truck. Let’s look at the use of a construction app. By adopting construction software for the field project managers can easily streamline workflows between the office and the field; ultimately eliminating extra paperwork. In the coming year, the use of construction apps will become more and more meaningful for the ability to fully communicate on every project.

As the construction industry enters a new era of digitization, it’s important to identify solutions that solve for business pain points and streamline day-to-day operations. The good ol’ saying that “practice makes perfect” still holds true, and recognizing the potential of the future will make for a better today.

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Source: Trimble