B.C. construction becoming a high-tech industry
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Construction Report by Peter Caulfield reproduced from the Business in Vancouver: Sector increasingly leaning on digital technology for safety and project management
Until recently, technological innovation has made only a small impact on construction, says Helen Goodland, the head of research and development at Scius Advisory, a Vancouver boutique consulting firm.
“But the situation is changing rapidly, and we’re in the thick of it now, with more big changes on the way,” said Goodland. “Construction is changing quickly and it is going very high-tech. The whole industry is going through a switch from analog to digital that is transforming every facet of how construction functions.”
Construction is facing unprecedented challenges, such as labour shortages, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and resource security.
“The industry can’t continue to use traditional methods if it wants to be profitable,” Goodland said. “These days construction companies of all sizes have to learn how to do more with less. Fortunately, there are technical resources available to help them.”
Until recently it had been possible to participate in construction with only a minimal investment in technology.
“But now, as computing horsepower goes up and costs go down, there are an increasing number of digital tools that can be used by construction companies,” she said.
Digital technology is also having an impact on construction safety.
Some examples of its effect include analytics that turn data into predictions to prevent job-site accidents, robots that can move heavy construction equipment, wearable technology that can detect employee fatigue levels and programmable sensors that can detect air quality, ultraviolet radiation, heat levels and ambient temperature.
Read the full article here.
Feature image is reproduced from the original article and shows drones are among a new generation of technological tools increasingly being used in construction projects | seksan Mongkhonkhamsao/Moment/Getty Images.
