The Diffusion of Innovation Theory states that every technology goes through five phases in its journey of adoption by users. The first 2.5% are the innovators; the next 13.5%are early adopters; followed by 34% who are ‘early majority’; 34% of late majority; and finally, 16% laggards. Globally, the construction industry is seeing significant shifts in adoption of technology, resulting in increasingly ‘smarter’ and more efficient outcomes. Some of the key milestones in this journey towards a smart, data-driven and responsible ecosystem are listed below.
VR&AR:
Virtual Reality (VR) has been an emerging trend over the past few years and represents the ability to transport the user to an alternative real-world scenario, though there is a cost involved. VR offers immersive solutions for the building industry, enabling stakeholders to collaborate in the design process. For those companies who start using it now, it will transform how they project and build. In fact, many stakeholders believe that there will soon come a day when, instead of using safety goggles, the planning and plotting of sites will begin even before breaking ground.
Construction companies have begun using VR and AR (Augmented Reality) technology to enhance worker safety training. This allows construction workers to visualize what they’re learning, instead of just reading about it. Firms also use apps that connect VR/AR technology to their BIM (Building Information Modelling) software. This enables virtual walkthroughs of a structure, which in turn facilitates informed design decisions earlier in the construction process, thus saving time and cutting costs.
