Emerging technologies are starting to play larger roles within the construction and building sector. In part, this move is a ‘pull effect’ that stems from consumers seeking to live in and occupy spaces that take greater advantage of the conveniences many of these technologies afford. Such conveniences include smart homes that take the weather and time of the day into account when automatically adjusting the temperature settings, or offices equipped with meeting rooms that automatically launch web meetings from users who booked time using the conference room app.
Furthermore, there is data that supports the potential room for innovation and smart technologies within the construction sector. According to some studies, output from the global construction industry is expected to rise to $12.7 trillion in 2022, up from $10.6 trillion in 2017. Despite this promising outlook, the industry gained only 1% of productivity over the last 20 years – in large part due to a lack of digitization.
Those same studies cite this $1.6 trillion increase as a potential opportunity for innovation and digital integration. Just as important, we are now also starting to see these types of new technologies embraced in the contractor community.
Even with the adoption of these trends, contractors, builders, and consumers alike still face challenges when determining the right technologies to use and the best way to leverage and implement emerging tech.
Challenge one, Culture: The construction sector, in large part, is still resistant to change and traditionally does not innovate very well. This mostly stems from a history of risk aversion, which makes sense given the important role that safety must play in this sector.
Yet this sector is awaking to the value that modern and emerging technologies play in driving and bolstering safety and security. From smart alarms that automatically call frontline emergency workers, to wireless check points that ensure only authorize users access buildings, this use of emerging technology for safety is seemingly endless.
Challenge two, Complexity: Construction projects are increasing in complexity and size. Adding to this issue are the inefficiencies often found in project management, logistics and procurement, as well as execution. Here too, technology can play a role in driving better outcomes.
The effective use of business intelligence tools, for example, can help drive project efficiencies and lower complexity. And the strategic use of cameras can help drive transparency with inspections and during the execution phase. Power Design, for example, is proud to offer a system where we have cameras on our hard hats. That way when we go in a building on a job site, we can better understand what the general contractor is claiming or discussing, and “push the trades.”
Challenge three, Legacy Processes: Another challenge is the process the sector takes when scoping projects and deliverables. Often, all decisions on possible technologies and solutions are sent to and fielded by a generalist designer (consultant/contractor) even though they may not always be the appropriate subject matter expert on emerging technologies. Companies should instead leverage professionals with networked based certifications (i.e. CCIE) in the field of those emerging solutions.
At Power Design, we pivoted to look at construction like the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model whereby all our systems have the ability to speak the same language. (i.e. TCP/IP). This framework describes the seven layers of communications between computing systems, which include Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation and Application levels.
Stay tuned to my next bog when I go into detail how this dynamic works and how with this approach, we are able to eliminate the multiple networks inside of a building.
With over 20 years of experience within the construction industry, Trent Morano has pioneered the use of leading and emerging solutions within this sector. Currently, Morano is Vice President of Systems at Power Design, Inc.