Technology, clearly, has changed the world. Over the last few years, just about every industry has been completely revolutionized by the advent of some technological breakthrough. “There’s a lot of buzz these days about drones, 3D printing, and robots,” said Mike Kavis, author of Architecting the Cloud.
“It’s easy to brush these technologies off as fads of luxuries until you understand some of the use cases that are being applied by integrating these emerging technologies. As each one matures, we are getting much closer to a world where structures can be built completely automated and unmanned.”
As the construction industry evolves and accepts more and more technological innovations, both will likely improve.
Construction Safety
For decades, construction workers have been at risk of suffering a serious injury or even fatalities more than nearly every other industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found in their Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report that in 2015 there were 937 deaths pertaining to construction jobs.
Sadly, a large percentage of these fatalities could have been prevented with better training, improved inspection services, a stronger emphasis on safety in the workplace, and certain technological advancements.
“Inspection recording has always been a good way of helping with the safety of construction sites,” reads Construction Review Online. “Being sure that everything is up to par is key to safety. Technology can specifically help out the inspection recording process in a few different ways. It improves inspectors’ reports through mobile access to project information and provides the full project team instant access to the most up-to-date project data.”
Construction Performance
As far as improving the actual job performance of workers within the construction sector, there are a select few that have garnered the most success:
- Drones – Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) offer high quality images and video footage from previously unreachable destinations. Works can use these drones to perform aerial surveys and identify potential workplace hazards.
- Mobile Applications – There are plenty of new apps on the digital marketplace that are becoming quite popular within the construction industry. These apps can help with document tracking, equipment purchasing, and all kinds of logistical aspect.
- Video Camera – Video camera technology has grown rapidly over the last few years and the construction industry has definitely benefited from it. Thanks to high quality backup cameras, drivers are able to carefully monitor every object in the area of their construction vehicle, effectively cutting down the risk of heavy equipment crashes and injuries.
“The rates of innovation in a number of technologies have enabled pioneers in the construction industry to leverage technology to radically change business models for erecting large buildings and structures,” Kavis added. Though certain industries remain attached to traditional ways of doing things, accepting new tech is just as important as any other aspect of business. The rise of smart technology has expedited progress in an already fast-changing world and is leading to major evolution within the construction sector.
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