How Robotics and Automation Change the Construction Industry

Whether you accept it or not, robotics and automation are changing the construction business. Technology solutions in the construction sector are happening on a grand scale and the sector is not just getting modern but even is getting more efficient. For long decades, the construction industry was associated with manual labor. And this has made a lot of potential related to productivity and efficiency. When the business introduced advanced robots as an alternative to manual labor, it succeeded because robots never get tired and deliver the same efficiency unless some maintenance issue happens. Maybe this explains why modern robotics and advanced automation have got a great impact on the construction sector. Construction companies realize the incredible benefits offered by these technologies, including huge cost savings and operational efficiency boosts. When we say that the new technology solutions in construction business are changing rapidly, no one can deny that. Let us see some of the ways technologies are disrupting the construction sector. On-demand and custom development practices The launching of additive manufacturing or 3D printing was a big game-changer. Before this, construction projects were multi-step affairs that required complex planning and development processes. Even though planning and designing processes still exist, they have sped up. And 3D printing puts the assembly and development process on-site. By creating prefabricated components or parts, similar to conventional manufactured housing, we can speed up even projects that start off-site. While earlier, machines used to print parts or pieces on-site, which were later assembled and installed, now 3D printers configure everything from wood and metal to concrete. There are even machines that can lay up to 350 bricks per hour. These machines already exist and are currently being deployed and improved. More collaborative processes Earlier, machines and men worked side by side. And machines used to perform repetitive tasks, which were not that complex. However, using artificial intelligence, data processing, and advanced robotics, machines can now perform mission-critical work that completely changes the concept of construction sites. At manufacturing sites, cobots are mostly used for things like auto production. What benefits cobots is that a cobot is easy to program. It can even be handled for more complex tasks with little to no additional development time. You don’t need a full-scale development or engineering team to restructure their usage and operation. Automated logistics and management Construction firms can use artificial intelligence and big data systems to dig into the efficiency of a project or job site and manage the tasks happening there. When software systems autonomously handle logistics and management, it delivers real-time updates to an entire crew via mobile devices. For example, when Alexa or Siri controls the operation of a construction site, it issues issuing orders and delivers project updates that can be collected in real-time and reported to managers and overseers. Streamlines responsibilities Technology solutions at the construction sites, such as advanced robotics and AI software can augment the efficiency and accuracy of existing duties. For example, when we use robotic total stations, it permits one-person job site layout and measurement operations. Earlier, the tasks required multiple persons and took at least a half-day of work or more but now technology gets it done in minutes with a single person. However, many construction sites still depend on humans for these tasks as we forget that machinery, tools, and software are just designed to make the process go much faster. It is not whether you are ready or not – advanced robotics, AI, and automated hardware are major unavoidable parts of the construction industry. As the construction industry adopted them, we see a drastic change in the way businesses work. The adoption of automation in construction business has made it more efficient and capable. Modernization, especially the digitalization processes and systems are here to stay and more changes will soon happen.