January 4, 2017
Virtual construction & technology

You don’t have to be an innovator to try something new. Last month I attended the Holiday Toy Chest breakfast that was held in Chicago at BuiltWorld’s headquarters. The AEC industry was invited to participate in the event and preview current and upcoming technologies.

We saw everything from UAV/UAS’s (e.g., drones), virtual reality and augmented reality; new tools powered by 18-volt Lithium-Ion batteries that will hit the market later this year; to a smart gate that regulates credentialed people coming and going from jobsites. While this amazing technology exists today and more and more companies are realizing the benefits, for industry-wide adoption to take place, we still have a few challenges to overcome.

  • Not everyone is fully committed to collaboration. For a project to experience the full value that technology brings, all parties have to experience the benefits - owners, architects and contractors. Right now, the adoption rate varies based on the organization’s role and the scope of the project.
  • Designs have to move from 2D to 3D in order to capture and work with associated project data, as well as capitalize on the benefits of other technologies, like laser scanning and photogrammetry.
  • We need to think beyond a single project. Using technology can benefit the lifecycle of a building by providing accurate and updated information for maintenance, building improvements and future projects.
  • We need to find ways to buy in earlier. The biggest challenge we face today is the cost of the technology. As the new technology continues to improve, it will start to become more affordable and introduce different levels for buying in. However, until a company can afford the latest and greatest tech toys, there are still ways to start utilizing technology today.  

Want to introduce new technology into your projects in 2017? Here are my tips for getting started:

  • Stay connected to what’s out there and what’s coming online by attending conferences, reading publications and trying free apps.
  • If you can afford to invest in the equipment now, make sure it’s easy to upgrade as new updates come up and new technology comes out. Upgrading and maintaining the equipment will save money and be a better investment in the end.
  • Consider utilizing third party vendors for different scopes of work to find out what works and to help get you closer to the new technology.

I believe that right now the construction industry is going through an age of discovery and futurism with technology. As it continues to unfold, we will see more immersive and interactive experiences through “Mixed Reality,” SmartCities and robotics (e.g., UAS, robots, exosuits, and many more). I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Until then, we have our work cut out for us to make the current technology mainstream. Amid all of the excitement and abundant talk of increased collaboration and improved performance, technology is still just the means. We have to use it if we want to experience the results it offers.