Construction has come a long way from binding wood pieces together with twine and creating roofs out of layers of straw and leaves. Advanced technology is taking construction to new heights. The use of technology in construction has improved jobsite safety, enabled the use of regenerative and eco-friendly materials, and developed new ways to build. Can you believe that the same technology used to print 3 dimensional objects at home can be used to create a sturdy and safe building? Here are some of the ways that technology is used in construction and building.
Drone Technology
Drones are more than a passing hobby. They are used in many industrial applications including building. Imagine being able to see the progress of a project with ease? Imagine being able to access places that are difficult for people to get to. Imagine being able to create imaging models of job sites using drones and video technology. This is now the reality. Drones are used in construction every day and they are helping to move the construction industry into the future.
Advances in Inspection
Inspecting job sites is a critical role. If they are not inspected properly the whole project is at risk and the results could be catastrophic. Each project requires multiple inspections, by multiple different people. Some of these inspections can be hard to get to. With a pipe inspection robot for instance, you can view hard to see spaces like pipes and other narrow spots. These advances in inspection technology mean that there is less room for assumptions and human error. Additionally, technology has advanced to where there are measurement devices that take the guesswork out of different inspections.
Eco-Friendly Materials
There is a movement to reduce the amount of waste in this world, to improve water and air quality, and to live with respect for the land. Instead of stripping the land of its natural resources, builders can now leverage eco-friendly materials from regenerative sources. This reduces the amount of waste, leverages recyclable materials, and creates safer indoor environments for the people who live, use, or work in those buildings. By reducing the amounts of toxic materials being made for construction, we can improve the quality of life for people and respect nature.
Improved Crew Safety
Keeping people safe at work is important. Technology plays a huge role in this. There are many ways to leverage technology to keep construction workers safer, and here are some of the most interesting ones.
Wearables
Think beyond your wrist device, and to other technology like vests, boots, and helmets. Did you know that sleepy workers are more likely to make mistakes and get injured? With smart helmets that detect brain waves and patterns, they can determine if a worker is in a danger zone. Additionally, boots and vests can sense external and internal temperatures. In hot environments especially, overheating can cause heat exhaustion and stroke which can lead to death. With a smart cooling vest, workers stay safe, and the building projects can progress.
Augmented Reality and VR
What if employees could train for their jobs using AR and VR technology? Instead of simply reading about what to do, they could practice important safety skills and learn how to do things better. This is the power of technology in construction. Using these advanced tech tools, construction workers can practice and implement new skills in a safe environment.
Exoskeleton Suits
Want to lift like The Incredible Hulk? Exoskeleton suits are incredible. When a person uses an exoskeleton suit, they can lift much heavier objects with ease. Instead of only lifting 50 pounds, imagine being able to lift 200 lbs. and for it to feel simple. In construction, exoskeleton suits help protect workers from lifting injuries and repetitive motion injuries. It helps them get more work done independently and without heavy equipment. This can help in hard-to-reach spaces where a person in an exoskeleton suit fits perfectly, but large trucks cannot.
Building Using 3D Printing
Have you ever watched a building be created using 3D printing technology? It’s amazing to watch materials like concrete get strategically poured to create walls and foundations just like the small 3D printing devices in homes. The software tells the machines precisely where to go and how much to pour so that the buildings can be made efficiently and safely.
