Mobile Construction Trends for 2018 and Beyond

Explore the top upcoming trends for the mobile construction industry. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Well, at least in the realm of exhibition. Arguably the most entertaining exhibition in the industry, Hillhead takes place in a matter of days and is filled with live demonstrations that are sure to get even the most exhibition-adverse employees excited. As we anxiously await the event, we thought we would 1) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): UAVs or drones are all the rage right now, regardless of whether you’re eight or eighty years old. It seems nearly everyone has become enamored with the ability to virtually fly around and capture the world through the eyes of a drone. The construction industry, in particular, is expected to be the biggest user of commercial drones in the near future, but it’s about more than just fun. Utilizing drones on worksites has been shown to improve efficiency and safety while also decreasing resources and labour costs. For example; Identified Technologies uses self-driving drones to survey construction sites in a matter of minutes. A feat which would typically take a physical workforce an entire month. Although surveying is the most common construction use of drones, they are also increasingly being used for health and safety inspections and progress reports as well. 2) Autonomous Equipment: Yes, the controversial self-driving vehicle is making its way into the construction industry and for good reason. Not only will autonomous equipment combat a shortage of skilled workers, but their use will also boost productivity by reducing project durations and subsequent labour costs. A number of developers have already built prototypes of autonomous bulldozers, tractors, cranes, and excavators in order to cater to an increasing number of construction professionals aiming to implement autonomous vehicles by 2020. 3) Smart Materials: Construction companies on the cutting edge of technology have begun utilizing advanced materials in their projects. One such example of this revolutionary technology is self-healing concrete, which was developed nearby in Bath. The smart concrete fills gaps caused by water by utilizing calcite-precipitating bacteria which germinate and produce limestone. This prevents the decay of concrete and corroding of any steel material embedded within it. 4) 3D Printing: While it may seem like just yesterday when everyone was rejoicing over the possibility of 3D printed spoons, the technology has rapidly progressed in the past year. The construction industry in particular could be facing a complete transformation as prefabricated and 3D printed models take over traditional construction projects. Construction development has also been disrupted, with the increasing demand for 3D printing of prototypes, scale models, and full-scale construction. Yet, despite all these advances, the most impressive was undoubtedly the unveiling of a 3D excavator at last year’s Conexpo. We kid you not, they really 3D printed an excavator! Although the construction industry may be infamous for their inability to adopt new technology in a timely manner, 2018 brings with it a new norm. Those involved must either tech-up or bow-out of the race towards innovation, which will only amplify the progress of mobile construction technology in the future.

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