FIVE RECENT TECHNOLOGY IN BUILDING

Introduction
The technology landscape is changing at an ever-increasing speed. This is no different within the
construction industry and in fact, construction technology continues to rapidly evolve and drive
forward the construction technology industry to become safer, cheaper and quicker. The question
for organisations is no longer if they are going to digitalise their construction projects and
construction workers, but when and how are they going to keep up and adapt with ever-evolving
and improving technologies.

As the world rapidly changes around us, with Covid-19 acting as a catalyst, it is not a surprise
that the need for technological advancement in the construction process is moving at the same
rate. Construction companies just have no choice but to keep pace. However, when you think of
technological advancements, you don’t necessarily think about construction sites as the leader in
this field. However, in fact, construction projects are one of the most innovative industries out
there.

The reason for this is that the construction industry has always responded innovatively when
confronted with difficult circumstances that require the construction sector to change such as
Covid-19. Allowing the industry to adapt quickly whilst helping the industry to run smoothly
meaning regular tasks such as designing, developing, and building a skyscraper, etc. can now be
done in the most effective manner.

With the current crisis causing an accelerated change in the construction industry, with the need
for greater process transparency and control being highlighted as a result of the changing times.
With many construction companies investing in technology, with the most common focus being
on digitalisation and supply chain control, allowing them as businesses to adapt to a changing
work environment.

Alongside this, the need for safety technology on sites is becoming a key focus. With the growth
in collaboration technology that will allow construction businesses to work on one single
integrated platform. Making it the key solution to the industries’ increased health and safety risks
and problems.

Other than Covid-19, the industry has been responding to a variety of other issues that require
the industry to become fast-moving and adaptable. These include skilled labour shortage, new
sustainability, and reduced emission regulations, advancements in information technology and
software, and continued health and safety risks and protocols.
Forcing the industry to stay ahead of the game, for example, technology such as robot workers to
3D printed houses have become a reality so quickly that we might not have realised it. With so
many advancements happening so quickly that it is often hard to keep track of it all.
According to Deloitte’s 2021 engineering and construction industry outlook, 76 percent of
engineering and construction executives indicated that they are planning to invest in digital
technology this year. Investing in the latest construction technology is helping business owners
facilitate digital transformations and stay a step ahead of the competition.

There are real, practical applications and benefits to modernizing your current processes. And if
your construction company wants to maintain a competitive edge, you’ll need to find ways to
integrate new approaches into your strategy and workflows.

These cutting-edge technologies are drastically changing how the industry operates and how
future projects will be completed.

1) Drone
Drones present the opportunity to provide a big impact to the construction
industry. Construction projects that involve data collection, land surveying, big roads,
and earthworks have been proven to be positively impacted by drone technology. Data
collection provides the biggest impact for construction projects, because drones have
the ability to provide inspection photos from various heights, create three-dimensional
models by taking a suite of photos from various perspectives, create three-dimensional
models using laser scanning, and for select projects, even collect water samples for
testing. Some drone applications available on the market even offer the ability to
transport materials from one location on site to another location.
Drones offer big opportunities in the aforementioned areas. First, using laser scanning,
drones can create a digital twin of a structure. This can be particularly useful in tunnel
projects or in situations where safety is a concern, as no one is put in harm’s way when
the drone is making its scan. It is also efficient given its accuracy and ability to complete
the task only using one person at the controls. Next, drones can calculate how much
earth has been removed during an earthworks project. This makes for an efficient
estimation tool. Additionally, drones can essentially replace the job of a traditional land
surveyor, all by capturing data automatically and eliminating the need to use
trigonometry and triangulation. Lastly, drones can help track progress of large civil
construction projects, such as highways. Overall, the central theme here is increased
safety, time and cost efficiency, and high-quality output. These efficiencies are seen
best on large scale projects and makes work easier for labourers.
To realise these potential opportunities, drones first need to be adopted by construction
teams. Although change management is a barrier for many teams, the adoption of
drones is increasing exponentially. In addition to getting the greater construction team
on board, there are cost and regulatory challenges to adopting drones as a tool for
construction projects. The cost challenge is present given the technology is still
emerging. The regulatory challenges arise because there are laws that need to be
adhered to, which can get in the way of using drones. Once adopted, drones can help
with site security, detect air quality, inspect bridges, complete non-destructive testing,
and even complete maintenance such as window washing.

2) Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

It’s worth explaining the differences between these two terms to avoid any confusion. Virtual
Reality (VR) refers to the creation of an entirely simulated environment and has a relatively long
history within the construction industry. However, Augmented Reality (AR) involves
superimposing computer-generated images and real-world image information.
VR is an important piece of construction technology for the industry in a variety of ways, these
include training, safety, structure walkthroughs, plan reviews and similar aspects. VR can also
help equipment operators on site seamlessly run simulations that could be too dangerous to
replicate, I.e., natural disaster or major equipment malfunction.

While AR can provide construction site workers with virtual feedback on real-world progress
ensuring everyone is on the same page and errors are reduced on-site. AR is an excellent tool for
the transmission of information by overlaying data with real-world information for the end-user.

Augmented and virtual reality are proven pieces of construction tech for the industry, with many
benefits, for example, a site contractor could hold a tablet up inside a home and see the locations
of every necessary drill hole without having to check the physical building plan.
The mixed reality space is all that is in between reality and virtuality.
Many types of realities exist in the mixed reality space. So, when someone speaks
about AR, it is not its own thing. It is part of a greater continuum.
The opportunity of MR truly lies in the ability to create an engagement model that
accurately represents the model of that project. This engagement model can be used
for marketing purposes, such as selling or leasing units or floors. It can be used to help
executives understand what decision or change needs to be made in the project
without overwhelming them with technical data. Essentially, the engagement model is
a tool or conduit used to solve problems. For example, preparing for safety is one
aspect that can be costly or not done well at all. The engagement model provides the
ability for builders to do safety inductions in a virtual reality experience. One example
shared is creating an engagement model of a project involving a tunnel boring
machine. Labourers can experience an exact replica of that setting, inside of a tunnel
and even experience what it would be like to experience certain catastrophes that may
happen while in that setting, so they can prepare for these types of situations in
advance..
This is all made possible by creating a digital twin, which is a complete digital version
of that structure. This data is already available in projects that are using BIM. This
same data used in BIM is already available, however it is used in a different way when
speaking about the engagement model. It is less technical and, as it says in the name,
more engaging. However, the one major challenge for MR applications is funding. This
is ironic though, given that projects using BIM already have their information. It is just
presented in a more technical way versus the engagement model. Bottom line is this:
you do not invest in MR and AR. You use existing data to create a virtual environment
that is linked in perpetuity to the life of the building, which collects all the important
information in one place.

3) BIM Software
BIM or building information modelling combines the uses of IoT and AR technologies, to
generate a smart option for management and workflow planning tools. A key construction
technology advancement within the industry due to its capabilities and opportunity. For example,
construction managers can create intelligent 3D models of their projects whilst also generating
smart workflows based upon it.

As a result, this technology has elevated the whole construction experience at all stages, from
planning and design all the way to building maintenance.

BIM is not merely a technology, it is a technology process, which is also known as digital
engineering. BIM can make a big impact on companies who are not yet aware of what BIM can
offer. For instance, contractors or subcontractors who are tendering on projects can get exposed
to BIM during the tendering process. The information capture during the BIM process can be to
the extent of what information is needed to complete the project once on site. BIM truly plays a
big role in larger, more complex projects. This is because the BIM process can be quite
expensive when capturing each element of construction. This process is worth it for the more
complex projects, as BIM allows teams to identify clashes early on, far in advance of
construction, with time to adjust the design.
The biggest opportunity offered by the BIM process is creating one source of truth for the entire
project. This again is especially important for the larger, more complex projects, where there is a
contractor, subcontractors, project managers, and many consultants are involved from the
concept and design stages to project completion and operations. BIM ensures each party
understands their piece to the overall project without the worry that something has changed as
updates to BIM happen in real time. For larger projects, the BIM process is cost effective as a
way on managing the project from beginning to end. The centralisation of project documents in
one place is worth undertaking the BIM process just to make sure all parties can collaborate
effectively. In one instance, with a mining project, visualisations provided by BIM helped get the
project done earlier, saving fifty million dollars per day.
The biggest challenge with BIM is getting project teams to adopt the technology. For instance,
with smaller projects using less parties to complete it, BIM may be cost prohibitive. Even so,
“business as usual” may work for smaller construction teams. As time goes on, teams will get
more exposure to BIM as it becomes more popular in construction projects. This may happen
through government mandates, which make industry workers upskill. Or it may happen as
companies work on larger, complex projects where BIM is chosen as the source of truth for the
project. Open collaboration is the big goal with BIM and will eventually be understood as the
reason why teams should choose BIM to carry out their projects.

7) 3-D Printing Houses

3D printing technology has developed massively over the years, to the point that many
companies within the construction industry have discovered how to print an entire home faster
and cheaper than the traditional method using this exact software and technology.

The first 3D printed home sold for less than $10,000 in the United States (approximately less
than £7,509). A further 50 3D printed houses are currently being developed in Mexico,
contributing to the change in the house building industry.

This in turn will make buying a home more affordable for everyone. Just another step that the
construction industry is taking to adapt to new technological advancements.

8) Exoskeletons
Another technological advancement for 2022, is the use of exoskeletons within the construction
industry. Exoskeletons are another piece of wearable technology that works in tandem with the
user, allowing site workers to carry out more work than humanly possible.

The aim of this technology is to minimise strain and injury to the workers’ bodies whilst also
helping to increase worker productivity as workers appear less fatigued when using this
technology.

As a result, this construction technology advancement will help increase safety on site and
reduce the number of lost hours due to injuries.
There are a variety of different versions of exoskeletons, all of which have their own purpose.
These include:

Power Gloves – Gripping tools and materials

Arm and shoulder support – Overheard activities and lifting
Back support – Stopping, lifting or reaching
Standing and crouching support – Task that requires prolonged standing I.e., drilling
Whole body suit – Lifting and carrying heavy tools and or objects
There are also two significant types of Exoskeletons: the mechanical which is designed for
redistribution of weight and the electrical which is designed to enhance strength.

The potential benefits this can bring to the workforce of the construction site are obvious.

4) Humanoid Labourers
In response to the continued labour shortage concerning many labour industries worldwide,
Japanese researchers have developed Humanoid labour technology called: HRP-5P. HRP-5P is a
humanoid robot capable of performing basic physical tasks like installing drywall or bricklaying
independently.

Alongside HRP-5P, there are also other robotic advancements such as TyBot, Doxel AI, and
many other built robotics i.e. Automated Track Loader, or ATL. Each of which has its own
features and responsibilities,

These include:
Doxel AI -using robots and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor site progress with real-time,
actionable data using a range of different technology features such as High tech Cameras,
LiDAR, and drones.
TyBot – an autonomous rebar-tying robot designed to augment and reduce labour requirements
in the most critical path activity of bridge deck construction
ATL – developed to excavate smaller construction sites using a range of different technology
features such as augmented GPS and LiDAR.
However, there can be both positives and negatives to this construction technology advancement.

For example, it automates dangerous tasks meaning human workers out of the risk of harm and
health and safety risks are reduced.

There is also a fear that advancement in technology would also take them out of the workforce
and cut down the need for human labour. With many industry leaders recommending widespread
retraining to help retain employees in fields that are already short on workers.

robots, machine learning, artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence or AI has become a key technology advancement for many industries
including construction. AI offers the construction industry the ability to speed up planning and
make entire operations faster and more efficient. Thus, creating a greater need for AI technology
within the industry as a result of ALICE, an AI assistant designed specifically for the
construction industry was created.

The technology within the bot is designed to reduce project build lengths and costs by as much
as 15%. Whilst also being able to evaluate millions of data and generate scheduling options that
are specifically optimised with time and cost in mind, allowing projects to stay up to date.

5. Virtual Prototyping
VP can make a big impact in planning, especially the complex projects. VP helps
contractors to build the building before construction commences. This helps save time
because the building can be logistically planned out in advance, which enhances safety
because hazardous situations can be planned for and simulated. VP provides greater
detail than you would receive from BIM. It includes the construction methodology within
the prototype, such as equipment required to complete the job. So, if scaffolding is
required, it would be shown – along with potential clashes and safety hazards. This
view into the future brings BIM technology to the next level and allows contractors and
alike to prepare in advance for especially complex projects. Where BIM is limited to
highlighting clash detection, VP provides a detailed overview of construction works and
essentially shows a contractor how to construct the building. Overall, productivity is
improved using VP because of its ability to promote communication and collaboration
amongst project stakeholders, especially the contractors.
VP offers an approach which saves time by highlighting dangerous situations far in
advance of when they would occur and by identifying construction issues. This is
especially an opportunity for precast technologies. However, the opportunities
provided do not come easily. They are cost prohibited for many projects that are
smaller or less costly. These types of projects do not have the budget needed to
undertake VP. Large, complex projects that require substantial planning and have
large budgets are great targets for VP. It is important to note that not everything needs
to be simulated using VP, only the critical construction activities. The biggest challenge
to adopting VP technology is to get the BIM consultants on board with the process. If
they are not on board, it will be hard for VP to succeed, as it is reliant on BIM to
proceed. It is important to note that BIM includes schedule data which is the primary
reason VP is reliant on BIM, as it already contains much valuable information about
the project.

Conclusion
All these technologies have one thing in common – they need to be connected, either to each
other or a central point so that they can be controlled, monitored and managed.

This is where connectivity becomes the enabler – none of these technologies could work without
having some sort of connectivity. Because of the nature of construction, the locations where we
need this tech to work is often remote or hard to reach places so your typical means of
connectivity may not be suited.

UK Connect offers any type of broadband to suit the requirement, be it fast reliable cellular
connectivity to fibre.