Construction’s timid start for mainstream technology adoption has given way to accelerated growth, with the construction technology market projected to reach more than $2.7 billion by 2023. This sudden surge in demand may contribute to companies clamoring to adopt technology like cloud-based construction management, project management software, and other systems designed to help manage and make better use of their data.

Technology has undoubtedly disrupted the entire industry. Manual processes that require paper and spreadsheets have been connected and become fully collaborative and accessible from anywhere. Technology has changed the way companies handle everything from fleet monitoring to expense tracking and scheduling.

Bob Moore Construction’s President Ed McGuire is an ardent proponent of technological change in the construction sector. “Every year, a different technology seems to come out of the shadows to take center stage,” shares McGuire.

Bob Moore Construction, formed in 1946 by Robert “Bob” Moore, is a commercial, manufacturing, and multifamily general contractor dealing in design-building construction. The business, which is based in Dallas-Fort Worth, has expanded its prominence to 10 states.

Bob Moore Construction, distinguished for providing excellence in development administration, has generated renown for being a trustworthy and efficient general contractor that surpasses desires on budget and on time from beginning to end. If you’re able to bring the mastery of Bob Moore Construction to work for you on your next project.

In the view of Ed McGuire, there are five trends to breakthrough:

  1. Virtual and augmented reality

VR and AR are giving construction managers a whole new take on projects, offering immersive 3D models, simulated visual overlays of building systems, and even virtual tours. With such tools, a manager doesn’t even need to be physically present for a stakeholder site tour. VR and AR also allow shared viewing, so workers in the field can bring in a supervisor to see everything from their exact point of view, no matter where the supervisor is physically located.

  1. Autonomous team

Automation is becoming more prevalent on job sites, removing some of the most dangerous or strenuous jobs from worker plates. Robotic systems like Japan’s drywall hanging HRP-5P to the SAM100 masonry robot are stepping in to help. In the meantime,

Automated drones are being used to map job sites and conduct inspections, sending the data safely back to the ground without a human inspector needing to climb as much as a ladder. With cameras or thermal imaging, drones can generate complete and complete 3D models in a fraction of the time that the job would have required a team of inspectors. Even heavy machinery is being automated, relying on autonomous equipment to handle precision tasks like road paving and land grading.

  1. Machine learning and artificial intelligence

Technology has not only gotten faster, but it has also gotten smarter. In machine learning, systems can collect and analyze the enormous volume of data that construction companies produce. They can organize and prioritize everything for real-time access as needed. This helps companies reduce noise and focus on the meaningful information hidden in all that data, leading to faster problem resolution and more efficient project management. Machine learning can even be used to analyze captured images to identify potential safety hazards in the workplace.

  1. Internet of Things (IoT)

Much of that information, C&E firms rely on machine learning to collect and manage data from the Internet of Things. IoT is typically an array of “smart” sensors networked around a central hub. They can be designed for almost any use imaginable, from monitoring equipment usage and worker location to tracking inventory and material management. On-site cameras and smart sensors can be linked to construction management software, giving managers a more detailed picture of a project’s progress. The devices themselves are small and generally not too expensive, so companies can often venture into the connected workplace world with relative ease. IoT Analytics estimates that the number of active IoT devices will reach 10 billion by 2020 and 22 billion by 2025.

  1. Predictive analytics

Finally, predictive analytics, a technology without which no conversation about machine learning would be complete. Predictive analytics scours through mountains of data looking for useful patterns or statistics, which companies leverage to eliminate guesswork and make informed decisions. Predictive analytics systems can detect workflow inefficiencies and even suggest different solutions. There is often more than one way to solve a problem in a project, and these systems provide alternatives that would otherwise go unnoticed. It’s not a crystal ball, but for now, it’s the closest you’ll find in construction.