Three Construction Technology Trends to Watch out for in 2021

Construction leaders will continue to utilize technology to improve efficiency, eliminate inefficiencies, and adapt to a younger workforce of digital natives who expect to work with technology.

Fremont, CA: As COVID-19 immunizations continue to be rolled out and administered, the goal is that by 2021, we will have achieved herd immunity, and things will begin to return to some normalcy. For the construction industry, this means surviving the epidemic and preparing for the economic rebound, resulting in increased demand for construction services.

Here are three construction technology trends in 2021:

Building Information Modeling & Digital Twins

Because of the 3D modeling and additional data in the models, BIM can assist contractors in better comprehend the scope design intent of a project. It can also help estimators create exact amounts of all building materials and components needed on a project for accurate takeoffs and estimates. BIM can also automate clash identification during the design process or before the start of construction, resulting in a significant decrease or elimination of modification orders.

The notion of digital twin technology is to generate a virtual model of a building using sensors, drones, and IoT to collect data on a completed or under-construction building. Then, the data is analyzed using AI software, advanced analytics, and machine learning to develop the virtual model and continuously learn from the actual building. This can optimize project schedules, provide data-rich as-builts, and be integrated into building operations systems when the project is completed.

Artificial Intelligence

AI, like BIM, is a technology that will be used in conjunction with other technologies such as BIM, sensors, wearables, and laser scanners to collect the data it will utilize to learn and make choices. Artificial intelligence is a field of study that focuses on developing technology that allows computers and machines to imitate human intelligence. In construction technology, machine learning, a subset of AI that employs algorithms to learn from data, find patterns, and make decisions without needing to be programmed, is having the most influence.

Collaborative Software Solutions

The construction sector had previously recognized the need for collaborative software, with the need to exchange information in real-time between the office and the field and other stakeholders. In the construction industry, decisions must frequently be made fast, so having access to the most up-to-date information is critical to avoiding costly rework and keeping projects on track and within budget. The good news is that this is an area where the industry has already seen a lot of adoption, and that means software solutions that allow many users to collaborate in real-time to update data and execute tasks.