4 Digital Innovations Making Construction More Efficient

The expanding market of digital innovation is providing construction companies with tools to operate more efficiently. Whether that involves better use of data, faster workflows, higher quality final products, or deeper insights into the project, companies can get that competitive advantage everyone needs in today’s high-pressure industry. Following are 4 digital innovations making construction more efficient:

1.     Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) –

Machines have been making the workplace more productive for decades. Newer innovations are helping reduce the repetitive, dangerous tasks workers need to perform. In addition to accomplishing mundane data processing, computers can rapidly sift through giant point clouds of data for specific information or even find data deviations.

When information on past activities and conditions are input, machine learning can develop predictions for urban planning purposes, saving time on manual renditions. Machine learning can also use algorithms to fill in gaps of missing data to create high quality 3D rendered scenes (neural radiance fields).

AI can simulate and optimize a building’s design for energy usage, resident comfort, and overall operational efficiency.

2.     Visualization –

3D technology is already good in the field of GIS. Now game engines are being looked at for more effective geospatial visualization. Game engines have become quite adept at realistic 3D modeling. According to Geo Week News, Esri is already partnering with two major players in the game engine realm to work with real-world data. The outlook is an improved ability to efficiently monitor projects, run realistic simulations, perform data-heavy spatial analyses, and enable more productive collaboration.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are already being used for visualization in the AEC industry. Eliminating rework is one of the industry’s greatest efficiency challenges. Using AR/VR, 3D models can be overlaid on the physical site to detect clashes and issues, so they can be remedied before actual construction begins. Since the technologies have been around for a while, their hardware and modeling capabilities continue to improve. The use of AR/VR is becoming more practical, with more realistic, interactive architectural designs. The opportunities for interactive collaboration are also improving.

As companies find themselves increasingly in need of training incoming workers, AR/VR can be a training tool that doesn’t interfere with work actively taking place on the project.

Download this free guide to learn more about machine learning, AI and computational design.

3.     Reality Capture –

Reality capture enables companies to compare design intent with as-built conditions, track progress and monitor risk on a project. Automated tools are being introduced – whether they be drones, high-definition 360-degree cameras, or robotic equipment – that can capture information on a jobsite without a person’s active assistance in the workflow. This automation will be particularly helpful in conditions that are unsafe for people. In addition, mobile tools for reality capture are becoming more accessible, exacting and widespread in their use, e.g. laser scanning.

4.     Data Sets –

Even on a small project, information can be gathered by multiple devices – photography, topography, LiDAR, and other scans – bringing with them multiple formats that don’t readily fit together. Combining these disjointed data sets without losing or corrupting information is a challenge that can be made easier by new software platforms. Common data environments and standards are being suggested as ways to increase the usefulness of this technology.

From better use of data and faster workflows to higher quality final products and deeper insights into your projects, digital innovations can give you a competitive advantage to succeed in today’s construction industry.

If you need a partner to help you investigate or implement construction innovation, contact Graitec Group today and become the innovation champion at your company.