At different points in history, the construction industry has always faced challenges. Overcoming the storm of the Great Recession, tax reforms, rising material costs and increased competition, this industry was able to surge forward and rose to the top.
When it comes to 202-2021, we can say that it was and still is quite a turbulent period.
So, let’s see what the world has for the construction industry this year.
1. A Drastic Increase in the Virtual Construction Market
Today, our world is experiencing an extraordinary rate of change and over the next decade, I’m sure Virtual Reality (VR) will rapidly and completely shift the way things are done.
Virtual Reality represents a critical element where the onward march of technology brought an unfolding change in the world.
It is not a claim. It’s a fact.
Virtual Reality is one of the very few technologies that has transformed the construction industry by solving old problems. In the last few years, VR has proved its capabilities and has met all the necessities presented by this challenging and complex field of architecture.
I would like to put forth how VR is a blessing to the construction industry, improving both its efficiency and effectiveness.
Some of the main reasons why many would assume that the construction industry is quite exigent are because of the ongoing tiring process of creating 3D models of construction sites. These miniature models are extremely useful in orienting the project, but it’s pretty impossible to create it without any inaccuracies.
However, the introduction of VR turned the tables, making it possible to visualize construction structures way before they are actually built in the real work. Taking the construction industry to a new level, VR allows workers to immerse themselves in a project as if they were actually there.
For instance, successfully implemented in many other areas, the Building Information Modelling (BIM) tool has the power to make people “see” a construction site without traveling to it. This creates a streamlined collaboration, making communication among team members easier, especially when it comes to remote locations.
With an adoption rate of around 60-70%, this new technological approach is also known to have greatly improved customer experience.
2. Construction Drones in Use
Name a plane without a human pilot in it.
Simple: A drone.
If you go back to the last few years, you’d revisited the craze when personal drones were introduced to the world.
Initially designed to serve the army, today drones are one of the best technologies that is being used in the construction industry.
The advancing software of drones is extremely helpful in rapidly mapping large areas over long distances and providing valuable aerial heat maps and thermal images.
We’ve also observed drones’ abilities for monitoring purposes – they’ve helped supervisors to keep a check on the line of activities going on and whether any change or safety measure needs to be implemented.
3. Prioritizing Covid- Safety at Work
I strongly believe we are nearing World War III.
Huh?
Well, millions of people are dying, economies of so many countries are collapsing and first-world countries are silent… all because of Covid-19.
There’s no denying that Covid-19 will be marked as an unforgettable event in history. But, if you ask me when it will end, I’d say, let’s be realistic. I mean, logically speaking, it doesn’t seem like the virus will end in any near future. Instead, it has proved itself to be very resistant.
Now, now, I won’t go on the various manifestations of the virus, but rather how the pandemic has led to the prioritization of safety – even in the construction industry.
I get that using masks, sanitizers, gloves and respecting social distance is highly essential in these times, but can you ask the same for workers whose main duties include loading and unloading of materials and equipment, assembling barricades, preparing construction sites and assisting machine operators?
Well, maybe with a little effort and teamwork, abiding by the guidelines for proper hygiene against Covid-19 might be easier.
If you want to learn more about some important trends that are currently affecting the construction industry, stay tuned for part 2.