Construction Embracing Autonomous Tech, but Disconnects Exist

Construction firms have adopted autonomous technology to address business challenges, with 84% of technology decision-makers in general contracting firms adopting some form of autonomous technology in the past year. However, a disconnect in the industry's understanding of the technology, its application, and benefits will hinder optimization if not addressed.

 

The industry is looking at autonomous technology as one of the most promising solutions to mitigate challenges like supply chain, productivity/efficiency, and labor shortages. The study shows that construction firms are turning to technology to help mitigate and manage challenges, many of which have been exacerbated by the economic instability of the past few years. Respondents cited operational issues including supply chain, productivity/efficiency, and labor shortages as the most pressing challenges near-term, while driving new business/growth and managing ESG regulations and programs were ranked as top concerns over the next three to five years. More than 80% of global respondents stated that their top three challenges represent a “moderate to significant” bottom-line impact on their business.

 

Among the autonomous technologies used, almost half are partially or conditionally autonomous. Project management was cited as the most popular application (32%) followed closely by workplace safety (28%), quality control (26%), surveying (26%) and vehicle operation, document management and verification/project inspection (all at 25%). However, firms appear to have trouble identifying the best autonomous or automated technology to solve their specific challenges and pain points. For instance, among survey respondents who stated that improving supply chain management is a top priority, only 28% reported an investment in autonomous monitoring technology, one of the top reported technologies that aid in this area.

 

Additionally, 37% of respondents cited fully autonomous robotics to drive sustainability benefits as a leading priority in the next 3 to 5 years, yet only 17% are investing in this type of technology. This, says the company, indicates that while construction firms are reporting clear benefits across key business areas, their use of autonomous solutions is not always aligned to their most pressing challenges.

 

Autonomous technology can make job sites safer and more efficient while managing the gap between data created from a project and the data actually used to find meaningful insights and generate opportunities. Thomas Harring, president of Hexagon’s Geosystems division, stated that "Construction firms are turning to autonomous solutions to mitigate risks better and improve the effectiveness of operations, which are both key to overcoming the productivity, sustainability and profitability issues they face every day."

 

Harring explained that these digital solutions can be leveraged to make jobsites safer and more efficient while accelerating innovation and maintaining business resiliency. He believes that "the firms that will redefine this industry are no longer defining themselves as construction companies but rather as hybrid companies with technology, engineering and construction at their core — and autonomous technology will play a major role in this evolution."