Autonomous Robotics

Autonomous robots are a very promising new technology entering the construction industry; they
offer to automate repetitive, tedious tasks usually carried out by humans, and improve overall
operational efficiency and productivity. Robot bricklayers, for example, replace humans for the
most basic jobs on construction sites. They can work constantly, and at a much speedier rate than
humans. One robot, invented by an Australian inventor, can lay around 1,000 bricks per hour,
translating to roughly 150 homes per year. Another, the Tiger Stone road bricklayer works at four
times the speed of the average human bricklayer, laying roads ‘like carpet’. Other types of
autonomous robots for the construction industry include termite-inspired robots, which, like
termites, collaborate on the same project, reacting to what they encounter, and bridge-building
robots, which can actually 3D print (usually steel) bridges in mid-air. These robots should make
the process of construction more efficient and safer in future, as humans no longer need to carry
out the most basic construction tasks, or those located in dangerous environments, and machines
can render simpler traditionally complicated constructions, such as building bridges.
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2. Cloud & Mobile Technology

Looking back only a few years, most people had difficulty or were unable to describe what a cloud operating system
was. Today, virtually all mobile devices are capable of leveraging cloud technology, with the ability to use and operate
cloud-based software from anywhere, and at any time. The sky is the limit for cloud devices as more people know the
advantages, including essentially limitless amounts of data that can be stored and shared instantly with the touch of a
button, and at about the tenth of the cost of old sharing technologies. It is accessible from anywhere that is connected
online. This technology will go from being preferred in the construction industry to becoming mandatory in order to
remain competitive in the market.

4. Construction Management Software

This trend has been around for some time and is commonly used by most construction businesses in some form or
another. Today, however, there are numerous types of construction software being used to manage all functional areas
of a construction business. Check out our list of the Top 10 Construction Software Solutions available in the market for
2018.These programs help manage business operations that are just as important as the construction itself, including job
costing, service management, project management, scheduling, budgeting, and payments to name a few.
wea6. Drones
Drones are already in heavy use at construction sites, with one in five companies already benefitting from their use.
They save time, as an entire site can be surveyed in a matter of minutes, rather than weeks or months, while also saving
businesses a great deal in labor costs. This is a rapidly developing technology in terms of accuracy and precision of their
readings, as well as less human involvement necessary. In years past, readings and requiring a controller made
companies weary of their use, but they are now much more efficient.

Self-healing concrete
Cement is one of the most widely used materials in construction, but also one of the largest contributors to
harmful carbon emissions, said to be responsible for around 7 per cent of annual global emissions. Cracking is
a major problem in construction, usually caused by exposure to water and chemicals. Researchers at Bath
University are looking to develop a self-healing concrete, using a mix containing bacteria within microcapsules,
which will germinate when water enters a crack in the concrete to produce limestone, plugging the crack before
water and oxygen has a chance to corrode the steel reinforcement.
 Thermal bridging
Efficient insulation material is becoming increasingly important throughout the construction industry. Heat
transmission through walls tends to be passed directly through the building envelope, be it masonry, block or
stud frame, to the internal fascia such as drywall. This process is known as “thermal bridging”. Aerogel, a
technology developed by Nasa for cryogenic insulation, is considered one of the most effective thermal
insulation materials and US spin-off Thermablok has adapted it using a proprietary aerogel in a fibreglass
matrix. This can be used to insulate studs, which can reportedly increase overall wall R-value (an industry
measure of thermal resistance) by more than 40 per cent.

Photovoltaic glaze
Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glazing can help buildings generate their own electricity, by turning the
whole building envelope into a solar panel. Companies such as Polysolar provide transparent photovoltaic glass
as a structural building material, forming windows, façades and roofs. Polysolar’s technology is efficient at
producing energy even on north-facing, vertical walls and its high performance at raised temperatures means it
can be double glazed or insulated directly. As well as saving on energy bills and earning feed-in tariff revenues,
its cost is only marginal over traditional glass, since construction and framework costs remain, while cladding
and shading system costs are replaced.

Drywall Systems

While the above two systems greatly enhance construction of the building shell, interior walls are also undergoing a change
with use of drywall systems and concrete and other precast panels. These systems have been around for a while and have
been used in certain types of buildings/interiors but are now fast gaining ground in mass buildings as well. The construction
of walls can be faster, easier and cleaner on site. Requirement for a large labour force is reduced and quality of the finished
product is enhanced.

Construction has seen a huge boom in the last decade and continues to grow by leaps and bounds with Housing for All by
2022 vision of the Indian government and the growing Indian economy. Also, acceptance of some of the newer construction
technologies is increasing as the industry keeps pace with the growth.