{"id":2011,"date":"2020-06-29T10:23:23","date_gmt":"2020-06-29T14:23:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=2011"},"modified":"2026-02-12T05:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:05:19","slug":"glimpse-construction-future-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/glimpse-construction-future-today\/","title":{"rendered":"A glimpse at your construction future is here today"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTechnology & Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA glimpse at your construction future is here today\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"CRE\t\t\t\tDeb Carpenter-Beck<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Construction is on the cusp of major transformation, according to many industry experts. A variety of forces are behind this change. Cost overruns, worker shortages, environmental issues, and safety concerns are driving the need to think differently about how construction has always been done. What\u2019s more, advancing technology is now making it possible to actually consider a different approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will this transformation look like in the not-so-distant future? Let\u2019s take a look at a likely scenario:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workers walk onto a job site and are instantly logged in and tracked as they perform their tasks. They wear \u201csmart\u201d hardhats that feed them vital work instructions and \u201cclothing\u201d that makes them stronger while measuring their biometrics. Robots lend a hand, especially for dangerous and repetitive work. Crews install building components prefabricated with 3D printers and use materials that can repair themselves, store and generate solar energy, and even \u201csweat\u201d to cool a building.  Self-operating equipment excavates, hauls, and dumps with little human intervention. Overhead, drones monitor and send status reports to those overseeing construction progress<\/em>. A well-vetted building information model guides activity on-site and collects as-built details for future facility management.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If any of this seems far-fetched, think again. The basis for much of what I\u2019ve described is already happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smart wearables<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I saw my first exoskeleton, then slated for medical rehab use, at an innovation conference in 2014. It was impressive! Today some manufacturers are developing these bionic suits specifically for construction to reduce the risk of back and other musculoskeletal injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not all. Already on some job sites, smart helmets and glasses use augmented reality to enhance a worker\u2019s view of the real world. These smart wearables can feed visual instructions or video chat with an expert, all within a worker\u2019s field of vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even everyday safety vests are getting into the act with built-in GPS trackers and sensors that can set off alarms to warn a worker of unsafe conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robo crews<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meet SAM<\/a>, one of the first robots to set \u201cfoot\u201d on a job site.  SAM stands for semi-automated mason and the robot is already being used by some construction companies to significantly speed up brick laying. According to the robot\u2019s creator, Construction Robotics<\/a>, SAM works alongside other masons to increase overall productivity by three to five times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will robots completely replace human construction workers? Not likely say many experts. Unlike manufacturing and farming where tasks are more predictable and repetitive\u2014the ideal situation for robots\u2014every construction job is different with its own set of unique challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3D printing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An office building in Dubai. A five-story apartment in China. A hotel extension in the Philippines. A 2,400 square-foot luxury home in upstate New York. All were constructed using 3D printing<\/a>.  Enough said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ground-breaking building materials <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the World Economic Council\u2019s recent report \u201cShaping the future of construction<\/a>,\u201d there is a wide range of innovation emerging from the building materials industry. Among those innovations are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n