Technology can now aid you in building your dream home. New machines and devices are revolutionizing sectors and processes around the globe. The construction industry is no exception.
Nowadays, all aspects of designing and erecting a home are benefiting from the use of technology. It makes the construction site safer for the workers, enables architects and engineers to collaborate and better visualize the design, and speed up and improve processes.
Although not yet widely used, these are the ways technology is upgrading construction.
Bird’s Eye View of the Land
Part of the first step of building a structure is surveying the land. In the past, the process of gathering relevant data about an empty lot require moving around and measuring the perimeter. It is a time-consuming process, and it gets tiring, too. Moreover, despite the tools being used, because a human being is in charge of it, it is prone to error.
A drone can do a better job at surveying the land. It is, first of all, more accurate in measuring than a human doing the same task. Moreover, it is also faster because it can cover more ground.
More construction companies are seeking the best drones that are made in the U.S. because these flying machines make surveying the land easier compared to the traditional method. It can retrieve relevant data for much less time and effort.
In addition, drones are being used for inspections. Tall buildings are especially quicker to examine for potential sources of injuries because these machines can whiz through the height or length of the structure without a problem. They are also generally smaller and, therefore, can be used to enter small crevices and take a look at easy-to-miss issues.
Worn for Safety
Workers are also benefiting from technology because it keeps them safe. More construction outfits are investing in smart wearable devices specifically designed to be used on-site. There are smart hard hats that can sense brain waves and detect when the wearer has fallen asleep while on the job. Sleeping while on a construction site is a safety hazard that can lead to serious injuries and even death. There are also smart boots that can track movement and foresee when a collision is about to happen.
Wearables for consumer use such as smartwatches can also aid construction workers to be safe. There are some smartwatches that can detect when the wearer has fallen and can automatically notify contacts and first responders, potentially saving lives. Falls, especially from a height, are among the most common causes of injuries in construction.
Building Room Per Room
Perhaps, a construction site is no longer needed. Technology has also enabled buildings to be built not on-site but somewhere else. Here is how it works: the structure is prepared in another location and then delivered to the lot where the house will be built. By the time all the pieces are at the right place, a crane will assemble the parts to create a home.
It is easy and, more importantly, it is not as wasteful. Construction, unfortunately, generates a lot of waste and emits high amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Part of it is because supplies have to be transported on-site, but not all of them are utilized. At the end of the project, excess materials are discarded. However, through modular construction, materials stay on the same site, allowing the company to use them for the next project. Waste is minimized.
The use of machine learning can further improve the process and eliminate waste altogether. With intelligent technology, companies can optimize how materials are being used which can significantly reduce the amount being scrapped, increasing profits and efficiency.
Virtual Try-On
While augmented reality is taking its time to take off as a device for entertainment, it has become an important technology in other sectors, including homes. Through an AR headset, architects and engineers can get a better look at modifications in the design directly at the site before committing to them. It also can measure the physical space in real-time to help workers be more accurate.
In addition, homeowners can use AR to decorate their homes. They can log onto a shopping app and, using their smartphone, see how a certain appliance and furniture would look in their dining area or living room. It is an immersive way to try on a product before making a purchase.
The construction sector is changing because of technology. These sophisticated machines and devices are making tasks for everyone involved easier and safer.
