Delilah Kealy-Roberts, from Mediaworks, investigates how smart technology is changing our world of construction. But what is smart technology, and how is it bringing the future of construction to the present?
Stories of science fiction are becoming closer to reality as the world of technology and construction develop. While we won’t be driving flying cars or touching the atmosphere with skyscrapers, for the time being, there are some fantastic innovations in technology happening. Smart technology – or ‘Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology’ – is transforming the construction industry.
Smart tech allows devices to link with one another and share information, developing communication and analytics. Smart technology is already a massive part of our lives; think about how often we use phones, tablets and smartwatches. So, as our cities grow, how could we not expect to see smart, innovative technology making its appearance in the world of construction.
Smart Buildings
What does ‘smart buildings’ mean? Picture a building that could react to its residents or alter to suit your needs without you even needing to do anything. Smart technology is already making this possible, with designed wearable devices that can transmit information to and from the building to make adjustments based on your needs. Smart buildings are all based around comfort and wellbeing to ensure residents are happy and content. An example of how smart buildings react to your needs could be when you are too hot; your wearable device would transmit this message to the air conditioning system and adjust the temperature automatically for you.
Drones and AI
Drones and artificial intelligence are also transforming construction as they are used to create maps, plan work and guide autonomous vehicles around the worksite. It can even quicken the time it takes to complete jobs, with it taking on average 15 minutes to scan a site and map its terrain compared to several days for humans.
Smart Cities
Smart technology can transform entire cities with a web of communication and analytics. Smart cities can monitor systems and citizens to improve the flow of the town and improve wellbeing and contentment.
We are already seeing many cities turn to smart technology to improve traffic systems, energy usage and public safety. Some of these include Amsterdam, Boston and Baltimore, but they are creeping closer to home as we realise innovative technology’s potential.
Smart technology methods are also being tested in smaller areas, such as university campuses. These spaces are being treated like a micro-city and are the ideal testing locations for new smart technologies.
With such a bright and sci-fi dazzling future for construction and property investment, property investors have to consider how this will impact their business. With more people appealed to technology than against it, we should expect to see buyers and renters choosing buildings that have smart technology in them. Therefore, property investors need to consider the technological aspects of buildings they invest in and what they can bring to the table to sway a potential buyer or seller.