In every industry, advancements in technology are quickly bringing about changes. This could not be more true for construction. Technology is vital in allowing construction companies to work faster and more efficiently.
In a line of work where human error often has a dear cost, finding ways to allow technology to assist is vital. Construction firms no longer wonder if they should digitalize their projects and procedures. Instead, they need to decide how to keep up with construction industry trends.
In this article, we are ranking the biggest construction technology trends of 2022. Let’s get started!
1. Cloud-Based ERP
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is by no means a new technology. But in 2022, we can expect the construction industry to pick up this type of SaaS (software as a service) more and more. ERPs allow companies to manage their finances and resources from one dashboard. They enable teams to plan projects more thoroughly and never miss a deadline.
When budgeting for a construction project, these features are an immense help. ERP software also has billing and reporting features that make client interactions smoother. You can get paid quicker and see where costs can be optimized next time around.
When it comes to cloud-based ERPs, the trending solution in 2022 is Sage Intacct Construction. The SaaS provider won the #1 rank in Customer Satisfaction on G2 in the spring of this year.
Simple software solutions remain top of the list in our ranking. This is because they are still the most reliable technology for construction companies to pick up today.
2. Robotics
It’s been a long time coming, and now robotics is here. The exploration of robots for construction has long been of interest. Robots not only provide new functionality on worksites and improve efficiency, but they can also keep live workers away from dangerous tasks.
One example of robots on construction worksites is Dusty Robotics FieldPrinter. This robot prints full-scale floor layouts onto construction sites. It thereby reduces time and error when it comes to planning out the work. The company received $45 million in funding in May and plans to grow its product offering to accelerate construction in the future.
Another robotics company, Teleo, reuses old construction and mining machines and turns them into semi-autonomous robots.
3. Augmented and Virtual Reality
VR and AR are steadily gaining speed in various industries, and construction is no exception. VR provides excellent opportunities for safe training in virtual environments. It also allows for reviewing 3D models of a plan in a life-sized representation. It will enable teams to run simulations and test constructions without running any real-life risks.
AR is also a great way to access information in the field. For example, data can be overlaid onto the real world, allowing constructors to review the locations of drill holes and pipes. Users only need to take a tablet into the workplace to be able to call up such information. Another application is to overlay the accurate size of a structure onto a real-life space to see how it would fit.
4. Exoskeletons
Machinery doesn’t have to threaten the jobs of real people nor replace us. Exoskeleton technology shows how robotics can help us extend our own capabilities in the field. Exoskeletons are wearable technology controlled entirely by the user. It allows site workers to carry out more work or work that would otherwise be impossible for them.
Power gloves, for example, allow for better gripping and enable users to work with a broader range of materials. Exoskeletons can provide standing support. This makes it easier for users to endure prolonged tasks like drilling. Whole-body suits enable construction workers to lift heavier tools and objects.
Most importantly, exoskeletons can provide back, arm, and shoulder support. As a result, they ensure that lifting and reaching don’t put workers at risk.
With exoskeletons, workers don’t have to bear the worst load and therefore don’t risk as many injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 150,000 construction site accident injuries yearly. This statistic renders safety technology vitally important.
5. Smart Infrastructure
Construction comes with a wide range of safety concerns, not just for workers but also for the future. The trend is led by Hexagon Geosystems and can be used even in natural settings, such as where mines and rockfalls might pose a structural risk.
Hexagon describes these tools as “reality-capture technologies.” The software creates digital worlds from different views. In this digital view, users can access actionable information to understand, plan and execute a project. It also allows teams to identify issues that might be invisible to the human eye.
Structural integrity is vital. No one can afford to make mistakes. Building construction technology now enables construction teams to monitor the strengths and weaknesses of a structure. It accomplishes this through the sensors of a monitoring system.
Software Remains the Biggest and Most Accessible Construction Technology Trend
In this article, we’ve touched on several technologies that will undoubtedly impact the future of construction. While trends are developing quickly in these areas, software solutions remain companies’ most accessible technological transformations this year.
Bangert believes that modern technology used in construction can profoundly transform business processes. That’s why we partner with the most effective software in the industry to help companies find the solutions they need.
Contact us today to learn more!