We are nearing the end of the year, which makes it a great opportunity to look to the year ahead. Thus, we are in the middle of a blog series, looking at predictions for 2022 and beyond. In this series, we have looked at general technology trends and the digital infrastructure needed to enable it all. Today, let’s narrow in on specific technologies that will likely impact construction in 2022—if they aren’t impacting your business already.
CAD (computer-aided design) plans are common among architects and contractors. Drawings have been digitized for decades and conversion of CAD plans into digital twin and BIM files is becoming the norm. In many situations, the next step is to augmented reality, the ability to see and experience what doesn’t exist as if it were real.
According to research by ABI Research, nearly 28 million augmented and mixed reality smart glasses will ship in 2026, while the total global AR/MR(augmented reality/(mixed reality) market will surpass $175 billion in the same year. This growth and demand are spread across both enterprise and consumer, with gradual but steady enterprise demand meeting with accelerating consumer activity in the next few years.
When the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were first being recognized in early 2020, much of the business world focused on the economic impact and the sudden changes in work-related activities. Work-from-home became a buzzword; teleconferencing was normal. New words entered the conversation around the now virtual water cooler: Zooming, Skyping, social distancing, and others related to remote work. Home workers found themselves with company, as schools and care centers closed, restaurants and clubs shut their doors in response to government mandates, and even groceries limited the number of people allowed inside at one time.
While infrastructure inspection techniques have been evolving over the years, many are still very manual and rely on visual inspection—which often means the process is time consuming.
AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality), and MR (mixed reality) have been around, especially in the consumer and gaming market, for years, but construction firms are beginning to realize the benefits that these technologies have to offer.
AR (augmented reality) is beginning to grow in popularity for a number of industries including construction.
Residential construction continues to get a boost with new technology, especially with the growth of emerging technology such as AI (artificial intelligence), AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality), and so much more.
Are the days of standard hard hats and safety glasses behind us? Will they soon be infused with data that help make decisions about projects?
In order to fast-track PTC’s headquarters in seven and a half months, Gilbane Building Co., managed trade partners working multiple shifts for most of the duration of the project, all coordinated through the use of virtual design and construction.
The desire to improve operating efficiencies is one of the main reasons we are starting to witness the proliferation of more manufacturing facilities investing in the IoT (Internet of Things). Many are calling it the fourth industrial revolution, otherwise known as Industry 4.0.