In the past, construction industry was characterized as a traditional and one that is resistant to change. However, over the last few decades, accelerations in technology has introduced a tremendous transformation in industry. Coming back to the current times, it can be said that construction industry is under a significant paradigm shift.
Let’s take a look at the top 6 emerging technology trends that could transform the construction process.
Drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, are no longer only a hobbyist gadget, they are now emerging as widely used technology construction industry. The drone industry is forecasted to grow to %11 billion by 2021.
When deployed in construction sites, they assist with monitoring and inspection bringing the following advantages:
Entirely sweep a large project in a matter of few hours gathering the required data rather than collecting the same data in many days or weeks by foot.
Easily keep a tap on and monitor viewpoints that are normally inaccessible for humans. This enables drones to detect issues that are hidden from human sight.
Improve safety by gathering information and observation that might expose surveyors to injury.
Drone can even achieve significant cost savings by enabling faster supervision with no need of surveyors. With use of drones, construction and engineering companies can supervise multiple projects simultaneously. UAVs can also help with emergency situations like COVID-19 outbreak by limiting the need for personnel.
Advanced drones can be used for collecting information even during harsh weather conditions saving a lot of time.
Augmented Reality (AR)
AR allows a user the ability to visualize the world through a camera lens. Construction industry has started adapting Augmented Reality and is said to revolutionize construction projects in the near future. AR superimposes a computer-generated image and can be fed to VR to replace the real world with the computer-generated image in a simulated environment.
AR systems are capable of displaying key information about the equipment and display warnings for nearby areas at risk. For example, AR lens can detect surfaces that are at high temperature or are electrically charged.
Imagine the power of visualizing the real world with desired elements through a camera lens. A completed project can be overlaid on an empty site or an existing building to enable clients to see the final result even before the project is finished.
Connected Devices
Use of sensors to monitor and manage a building effectively in nothing new. However, managing all the data has been a real challenge in construction projects. Internet of Things (IoT) brings connectivity to all types of devices that are used in construction including equipment, tools and even gears work by personnel. IoT generates abundant data that can used for different purposes like:
Live monitoring for activities to improve efficiency and prevent accidents.
Tracking the performance of equipment and tools to reveal potential ways for improving overall efficiency.
Connected devices coupled with GPS tracking can benefit greatly especially for monitoring equipment that travel long distance between projects. Project owner can know the exact location of the equipment when equipped with telematics. This enforces efficient fleet management and also prevent theft.
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
BIM when used in construction projects, add detail level ranging from broad geometric representation to an accurate building model. BIM uses a software that not only allows project managers to design the buildings in 3D, but also creates several layers of metadata including the MEP layout of the building which can all be rendered in a collaborative workflow with increased accuracy and efficiency.
BIM is one of the most powerful tools for handling and preventing construction waste at the design stage. BIM can detect component clashes so engineers can make better decisions and efficiently optimize the design.
BIM is estimated to be a game-changer for the construction industry with its ability to depict project development in a highly collaborative environment.
Prefabrication & Modular Buildings
Prefabrication is a process where building modules are manufactured in an off-site manufacturing facility and assembled on the building site when required. Prefabrication has several benefits over the traditional construction process like:
Minimizing overall component and equipment waste since the building modules are created in a controlled factory environment.
Prefabrication is independent of the outside weather conditions which is one of the biggest hurdles in traditional method with high level of uncertainty.
Higher quality can be achieved since there are fewer external factors influencing the project during prefabrication.
Potential to cut the overall timeline by up to 50% as compared to that of traditional construction.
Prefabrication & modular construction is highly recommended for construction in emergency situations like COVID-19 since the workforce can be easily monitored and preventive measures can be carried out with ease.
In competitive markets in New York, prefabrication has additional benefits of financial rewards for completing a real estate project early.
Cloud Services & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Emerging advanced technologies are characterized by generating a large amount of data that is processed and stored. Cloud services not only helps project managers to store a lot of data, but also makes it accessible at any time while maintaining it in a secure remote location. This data can be accessed by connected devices or by any data analysis platform.
Large data volume produced by multiple connected devices is a lot of work for human analysts and often require Artificial Intelligence (AI) to be processed efficiently. AI retrieves the cloud data and processes it into simple and intuitive metrics that help making effective decisions.
The high exposure of risk and uncertainty can be overcome with the help of AI by shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach in risk management. This in turn helps construction companies reduce project costs while improving safety.
There’s so much going on in the world of mobile app development, it’s hard to follow everything. Even if you’re a veteran with 10+ years of experience, each new year brings something that can really surprise you and say something like “Wow, I didn’t know this was already happening!”
2020 isn’t an exception. It’s going to be a year of apps, definitely, and there are some new tendencies in the market that you absolutely need to know about. That’s why this article is about mobile app development trends for 2020.
Artificial Intelligence-Assisted App Development
Even though Artificial Intelligence (AI) can’t create apps autonomously, yet, it can already help programmers to significantly reduce the time they spend on this task.
For example, AI can check kilometers of code for errors within impressively short time frames and automate repetitive tasks to allow developers to focus on more important things. On top of that, there are also AI-powered technologies like face recognition for security and the ability to extract insights about app users by analyzing data usage patterns and drawing insights.
Chatbots
Chatbots are already huge in the world of eCommerce, and 2020 will be the year when their functionality will be integrated with mobile apps. The most important promise of chatbots is to deliver real-time communication with users, and this is what both B2B and B2C companies with apps can really use.
For example, an eCommerce business’s app should have chatbot functionality to be able to make orders, provide users with customer support as well as connect to a human service agent. The interest to chatbots has been steadily growing, too, as the global chatbot market is predicted to increase by up to .23 billion by 2025, reaching an annual growth rate of 24.3 percent.
Making chatbots as user-friendly as possible will become key to their effectiveness. This includes presenting chatbot users with clear, concise, and easy-to-understand options to choose from. To deliver a positive user experience with chatbots, a well-researched and user-friendly copy is needed. The use of professional writing tools like Studious, BestEssayEducation, and Grammarly is recommended to deliver a quality copy.
So, with chatbots gradually becoming a must for online business, chances are great that more businesses will add this functionality to their existing mobile apps.
The Arrival of 5G Networks
The long-awaited arrival of 5G in 2020 means big things to many industries, including mobile app development. The adoption of this technology will bring the following changes:
Lower latency: Every mobile app user has experienced delays due to the current limits of 4G networks, and 5G can help with that. According to VentureBeat, the technology dramatically improves latency by reducing the response time down to 2 milliseconds from the current 4G;s average of 50 milliseconds
Increased connection density: 5G is expected to increase the number of connected devices per 0.38 square miles to 1 million from 2,000 as well as enhance the ability of the network to support faster data transmission.
Faster web development: “Faster speeds will make integrating other technologies into apps possible,” says Samuel Stone, a data scientist at WowGrade. “Moreover, data transfer to the cloud will also help with testing and developing without relying on a device’s processing capabilities.”Together, these advantages will provide both mobile app developers and users with richer experiences.
More Creative and Innovative UX and UI
Successful mobile apps share one important trait: ridiculously simple, intuitive, and user-friendly user interface and experience. An interactive, intuitive app interface is a trend that’s already gaining momentum, and it’s going to become a must for businesses in 2020 and beyond.
There are two major elements that create a perfect user experience: design and writing. On the one hand, mobile app development in 2020 will include more circular design patterns, content manipulation capabilities, interactive content layers, overlapping visuals, and functional animations.
On the other hand, UX writing will become more important for making apps more usable and engaging. It includes writing for in-app messages, usage instructions, menu items – basically every piece of textual content inside an app. Clarity and consistency with user intent will be keys to providing that intuitive and easy user experience. The field of UX writing is still pretty much in its infancy, using writing and clarity tools like these is recommended:
Hemingway Editor. This tool is for copywriters and UX writers who need to increase the readability and clarity of their copy.
Supreme Dissertations. Professional advice on usability and concise, to-the-point writing from copywriters and UX designers.
GrabMyEssay. Help with writing for the web, i.e., websites and apps, proofreading and editing for clarity.
Virtual (VR) and Augmented (AR) Reality
Finally, we’re seeing great examples of the application of AR and VR in apps to provide a truly immersive experience for users. Google Earth VR is one of the best examples of such apps that will astonish everyone who sees how incredibly beautiful our planet really is. With devices like headsets being almost mainstream now, using such apps has become really is.
As for AR, makeover apps are the best example. YouCam, for example, uses innovative 3D scanning to create a complete virtual makeover, including cheeks, eyes, lips, and brows. The app has become incredibly popular among selfie fans who want to look great on social media and has been downloaded more than 100 million times on the Play store.
The development of VR/AR apps in 2020 will definitely get a huge boost thanks to the recent release of ARCore, Google’s platform for developing AR experiences. Apple is there with its own ARKit 3, which is also designed to create AR experiences for iOS users. This software makes it easier for Android and iOS developers to build apps.
Cloud-based Apps
The ability of the cloud to store large amounts of data has huge benefits for mobile app development. In 2020, more developers will opt for working with cloud because of the following reasons:
they’re not going to be limited to local device storage
Reduce cost for equipment and hosting
the cloud frees them from the requirement to install an app to access and run it
Streamline operations that are repetitive and routine
Constant updates that contribute to the fast elimination of bugs
Hassle-free Integration of new features.
Cost reduction is one of the biggest benefits that make cloud-based web development an attractive option for small businesses and startups. If they use local storage, they have to upgrade it on a regular basis, which could be a burden for the budget. On the other hand, maintaining apps and data on a cloud server will be cheaper, as the costs of upgrading server space are typically lower. Besides, there’s no need to hire extra staff because the cloud storage providers manage servers.
Nearly everyone in the world has a cellphone in their pockets. Why? Because it’s small, sleek, portable, and highly convenient. Yet the wise folk know better. They prefer holding on to a priceless piece of tech, i.e. a home phone. They believe that these tiny smartphone devices falter more than they let on.
So, if you’re thinking of severing your ties with the cord, I implore you to wait one minute and consider the eternal uses of a home phone which are set out below:
High-Fidelity Calling Experience
Suppose you have to make an urgent call to an international client to pitch your ideas and win him over. Everything depends on this one call. If it goes amiss, so does your future. You dial the number and just as you’re getting into technical details, the reception becomes spotty and the call ultimately disconnects. What a bummer, right? This wouldn’t have happened if you had called from a home phone. Why? Because nothing matches the crystal-clear quality, the great coverage, and the perfectly reliable reception which a home phone gives. It’s an experience like no other.
Zero Hacking Rate
Today, the world of crime has shifted online with hackers gaining access to people’s private data. You don’t even realize yet someone creeps into your smartphone and manipulates your personal information. It’s the worst thing that could happen to anyone. Being exposed and made to feel vulnerable. But believe it or not, no one can hack a home phone. It’s a perfectly safe option, shielding your everyday activities from sinister entities.
Convenient for Elder Relatives
Not everyone is comfortable operating a highly complex device such as a cell phone. Especially the old folks. For them, a thousand apps on a touch screen seem to be the most confusing thing ever. I mean give your granddad a smartphone and see how he anxiously fumbles about it, trying to operate it with his shaky fingers. It’s not a nice sight. But with a home phone, your granddad can easily dial the number and call his friends up. It has a simple layout, highly convenient for elderlies.
Best For Business Connections
You open your smartphone and a bundle of notifications diverts your attention, distracting you from the work at hand. But with a landline, there is no danger of employees getting waylaid. Other than this, traveling executives and businesses with remote offices need to have a central connection with a clear line, right? A home phone provides just that and ensures lightning-fast correspondences.
Reliable in Emergencies
A disaster could strike at any moment, creating all sorts of emergencies. It could be a hurricane or an earthquake, or even a gas-line explosion. Whatever it may be, you need to be prepared for that. How? By sticking to your home phone first and foremost. Why? Because one, in a power outage, a home phone works with a backup battery, giving a clear call quality and a stable connection. Two, if someone gets hurt, medical personnel can pinpoint the exact location of the emergency, as provided by home phone, and reach sooner, saving precious time and lives. So, parting with a home phone is not such a good idea, after all.
With the beginning of the industrial revolution, more than 200 years ago, we began to use machines for mass production. After the operation of the conveyor and the digital revolution, the term ‘Industry 4.0’ became more and more common for several years.
Art For Robots
The main application of industrial robots is in production. They are used for assembling vehicles, sealing gaskets, loading and unloading machines, as well as for packaging bars for the food industry. These processes usually occur behind closed doors of production halls. With robots in art projects, we provide the public with access to robotics in an understandable way. I would like to demonstrate what else can be done with the help of robotics. The second key point is that industrial robots are always at a little risk of threatening work. However, it is important to remember that a person will always be the one who thinks, who directs and ultimately coordinates the robots.
A classic industrial robot can move its hand along six different axes. This gives him the ability to move an object or tool to any position and move it within a limited space, depending on the size of the robot. All motion sequences can be programmed and, ultimately, automatically run. Of course, these features inspire creativity and ultimately allow endless artistic applications.
Large quantities of identical products are usually produced automatically. Today, a prerequisite for automation is that the products are identical or, at least, very similar. Today, the trend is more and more towards individualized products. For example, think of a case for a mobile phone. Everyone would like to have their own individually designed model. Modern technology allows you to create automated production that meets these individual requirements.
Industry 4.0
Now more and more people began to lean towards Industry 4.0. You create an intellectual production, so to speak. The goal of such an intellectual factory is to send a form at one end of the production hall and give it information about what it should become. Then the blank independently searches for a production method and organizes the necessary processing steps. At the same time, it independently considers where the machines are currently occupied or where the machines may just need maintenance and, therefore, cannot be used. To avoid busy machines, the factory may look for ways to replace through production. This is partly possible today. There are already factories that do this. But this, of course, is still very, very much development
Large industrial companies already rely heavily on intelligent automation. In addition, over the years, especially small companies will resort to traditional production methods. However, automation capabilities are constantly evolving, optimizing, and therefore becoming more cost-effective. In this regard, it can be assumed that much will be done in the world of production over the next 20-50 years.