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In the last few decades, construction businesses have been struggling to attract skilled workers. This isn’t particularly surprising given that the job is rather arduous and has a high chance of injury. Luckily, with the surge of advanced robotics and drones, we have ways to bridge the labor gap.
In this article, we’ll talk about different gadgets meant to replace traditional workers. Aside from serving as a replacement, these machines increase safety and productivity in the field.
1. Drones
The best thing about drones is that they’re so versatile. You can use them for all sorts of surveying tasks, ensuring that your workers don’t get in harm’s way. These sophisticated gadgets are equipped with sensors, cameras, and GPS solutions, ensuring full coverage in the field.
In the past, companies would hire experts to manually measure the field. This was not only time-consuming but also very expensive. On the other hand, drones can do the same job at a fraction of the time without losing accuracy.
On top of the initial surveying, drones are utilized to assess the project’s progress periodically. By sending imagery to the system, managers are able to determine the situation in the field. They’re able to detect potential bottlenecks before they occur and make sure the project stays within the deadline.
2. Building Information Modeling
BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is a technology that has completely altered the construction industry. With this solution, companies are able to create digital twins of a project, showcasing various physical features.
These models come in 3D and are very important for managers, but also for stakeholders. Users are able to visualize the entire project from top to bottom and identify potential issues before starting. With BIM, you’re able to create a roadmap, outlining different tasks during the upcoming weeks.
The great thing about these digital models is that they streamline cooperation between engineering, architects, and managers. It allows you to prevent costly miscommunication and errors and create a much more effective workflow.
3. Automation Solutions
Robots and automated machines are a great way to circumvent labor shortages. Unlike human workers, these robots handle their tasks with utmost precision, ensuring high project quality and client satisfaction. While investing in automation might seem expensive at first, these machines eventually pay for themselves.
Robots excel at performing tedious, repetitive tasks. They don’t have to take breaks, and you won’t have to worry about days off. Machines are especially valuable for hazardous tasks as well as activities in polluted, dangerous environments. This allows construction businesses to protect their staff’s health while avoiding costly litigations.
Unfortunately, despite all their benefits, robots come with a few drawbacks. We’ve already mentioned high initial costs, but we also have to mention the fact that these machines aren’t fully independent. There’s always a technician behind these robots, providing them with instructions. So, it’s not as if you can completely eliminate the need for human workers.
4. Virtual and Augmented Reality
VR and AR are game-changers for staff training. They allow companies to slowly onboard employees without having to expose them to certain dangerous situations. By creating fully digital environments, users follow instructions from their management and get acquainted with different machines and construction yard scenarios.
Among other things, virtual reality allows staff to handle heavy machinery before sitting behind a crane or bulldozer. Through digital environments, workers are able to acquire skills at a much faster pace without endangering their colleagues.
AR solutions are now being introduced into various gadgets and systems. For example, construction companies have started equipping their staff with AR goggles that identify potential site hazards. The technology has immense potential and allows teams to conduct activities that were previously too difficult or too unsafe.
5. Modular Construction
Utilizing the prefabrication concept is an effective way to reduce reliance on human labor. Businesses are able to create components in a controlled environment before sending them to the site. Among others, prefabrication allows you to create roofs, floors, walls, and other parts of the project off-site.
The main reason why companies rely on prefabrication is to minimize on-site activities. Given that the construction yard can be a hectic environment, you want to do as many things as possible in another location. Overall, this would reduce the time needed to finish projects, while allowing your staff to focus on finishes.
Modular construction reduces the number of people you need in the field, although it doesn’t make you completely independent of human labor. Furthermore, it allows you to achieve the same quality of work and eliminate common assembly errors.
6. Integrated Software
Similar to other businesses, construction companies have started using project management software on a daily basis. These programs are especially valuable for large projects with lots of workers and other moving parts. With project management software, you’re able to control the progress of different activities, thus staying within deadlines.
Integrated tools allow you to stay on top of budgeting, scheduling, project planning, and reporting. Use them to maintain communication with stakeholders while preventing communication errors within your team. Integrated software is vital for tracking resources and timelines, making sure you stay profitable.
But the best thing about these tools is that they work in real time. As soon as new information becomes available, it will be introduced into the dashboard. One of the better examples of this is SmartBarrel's time tracking software, which tracks your employees in the field and notifies you of any status change.
Last Thoughts
The lack of a skilled labor force has increased paychecks within the construction industry. Veteran craftsmen are hard to find, so companies are willing to spend enormous amounts of money to onboard these professionals. Unfortunately, despite wage increases, not everyone is willing to do this type of work.
If you wish to address this shortage, you should consider introducing new machines and software into your workflow. Robots and drones have become indispensable in the field, performing tasks that humans cannot. On the other hand, with the right software, you’re able to monitor everything that’s happening on the site.