As time changes and technology becomes more prevalent in society, the commercial construction industry seems to be changing too.
Now, there are so many technological innovations making commercial construction easier, safer, and more cost-effective for all involved.
6 New Technologies Emerging in the Commercial Construction Industry
There are so many new and exciting technologies making waves in the commercial construction industry at the moment. Below we take a look at 6 new technologies to look out for.
Spider Cranes
A spider crane is a unique mini crawler crane. They are designed and built to work in low-access confined areas. In other words, these cranes assist with lifting various size objects and loads from small spaces.
Spider cranes are also useful when it comes to lifting objects within the building itself as larger cranes cannot usually fit inside. They are ideal to use inside a finished building for maintenance or refurbishing.
Some other benefits of Spider cranes include:
● They have the ability to perform well on rough terrain due to their versatile outrigger configurations.
● Advanced health and safety features.
● Minimal carbon footprint due to their eco-friendly battery formats.
● Reduction in site disruption saving time and money.
● Ability to perform sensitive and complex jobs in extremely confined spaces.
Dusty Robotics
This new piece of technology has done wonders for accuracy in the commercial construction industry. The Dusty Robotics robot essentially automates the layout process. Previously, contractors would draw lines using chalk and measuring tapes. This left lots of room for error and inaccuracies.
Now, the Dusty Robotics robot prints layout lines directly on the construction objects. The machine does this 10 times faster than workers and guarantees accuracy of 1/16 of an inch.
It also only requires one person to supervise and program the robot. As such, it saves costs on labor while boosting the efficiency of the layout process.
Karbon Bar
The Karbon Bar is the latest and best technology when it comes to reinforcing concrete. This new innovation has largely taken over from the traditional methods, namely: rebar, fiber mesh, stealth mesh, and post-tensioned cables.
The new Karbon Bar functions well as it is a reinforcer as it is an epoxy-based, fiberglass bar. The nature of the material means it is four times lighter than the traditional methods like rebar and it is two times stronger.
Other benefits of the Karbon Bar include:
● Its non-metallic material means it will not rust or corrode.
● It has no conductivity or electromagnetic inference meaning it has a wider level of application.
Construction Exoskeletons
The latest breakthrough in the commercial construction industry is the use of exoskeletons. These are essentially motorized wearable machines. They provide extra support to a contractor when performing repetitive tasks like bending, grabbing, or lifting.
Exoskeleton suits are made to either fit around the entire body of the contractor or provide support and strength to a specific part like an arm.
These futuristic suits have done wonders in the commercial construction industry when it comes to the safety and efficiency of a job.
Some examples of exoskeletons currently used on construction sites include:
● Back support exosuits. These fit around the back and shoulders to give support when lifting.
● Crouch support exosuits. These suits give support to the legs and function as a chair making it easier to crouch for longer periods.
● Shoulder support exosuits. These suits fit around the shoulders or arms to help distribute weight away from the shoulders.
Drones
Drones are making waves in several industries like photography, real estate, and commercial construction. The small, camera-mounted flying machines are a great addition to any project and help to save time and money.
For example, processes in the commercial construction industry that was once exorbitantly expensive, are now far more affordable with drones.
Some areas where drones are assisting the commercial construction industry include:
● Typographic maps. Drones are used in the preconstruction phase to survey large areas of land quickly.
● Equipment tracking. Equipment can easily go missing on a big, busy construction site, but drones automatically keep track.
● Security surveillance. Construction sites are prone to theft of material and equipment. Drones help to monitor the site when people aren’t around.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence is the ability to make decisions independent of human input. This efficient and intelligent decision-making method is great for increased safety in the commercial construction industry.
Some advantages include:
● Improved safety
● Decreased costs
● Better designs
Conclusion
Technology is always evolving. So, it’s best that the commercial construction industry evolves with it. That way, we can ensure safer, more efficient builds for all involved.
With these new technologies, the future of construction is looking bright and it’s exciting to see what will come next.