Major technologies changing the AEC industry

Technology has been advancing exponentially, especially during the COVID 19 pandemic. The AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industry witnessed rapid technological changes since the pandemic. These technological changes presented threats and opportunities.   

AEC firms on the leading edge of these technological changes implemented the new technology, despite the difficulties to do so. The firms leveraged innovative the new technologies and gained competitive advantages. One example of this is that the AEC firms that invested in Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology a decade ago are today’s industry leaders. Those who didn’t were not as successful.  

Technology continues to change the AEC industry. Here are some of the AEC technologies that will play substantial roles in shaping the future of the industry: 

Virtual Reality  

Leading-edge firms are using Virtual Reality or VR solutions to enhance collaboration and coordination by bringing together project teams, connecting with clients, and onboarding new employees through interactive 3D avatars that can speak to each other, move around, and even shake hands to make deeper connections than video conference screens.   

Employees wear VR headsets and gather in virtual conference rooms and social settings that offer more immersive environments than video calls. Internal project teams can use VR to view presentations, review models, and manipulate objects in a 3D environment. Studies have discovered VR is more effective than e-learning and in-person classes for training new hires and staff development programs. There are VR skeptics, but the surprise is that the technology is an excellent platform to develop soft skills without the burden of travel expenses.     

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning 

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the potential to radically change the AEC industry by allowing design firms to make better decisions about projects and operations, engage with employees, and strengthen client relationships. Autodesk is among the architectural design software companies that have invested heavily in machine learning, a branch of AI in which systems analyze data to identify patterns and generate solutions. Designers can input project goals and parameters, such as material costs and weights, and the software uses algorithms to generate thousands of design possibilities. Software companies contend that AI will be doing repetitive work, freeing up AEC professionals to focus on high-level design.  

Cybersecurity 

The work-from-home model has been a boon for cybercriminals who have learned to target the vulnerabilities posed by remote employees accessing corporate IT systems through their personal home networks. The risk of hackers disrupting operations or extorting money through ransomware has increased and cybersecurity has emerged as a major concern, increasingly demanding the implementation of cybersecurity precautions to protect files, drawings, models, and contracts. Research by IBM has found that human error is a major contributor in 95% of all cybersecurity breaches, which means that cybersecurity training can be one of the most effective precautions firms can take. 

3D Printing   

3D printing may still be in its infancy, but it is becoming more of a reality in some AEC industry segments. Advocates predict the futuristic technology could help the AEC industry address its labor and material cost challenges by delivering construction projects faster, cheaper, and with less waste than with conventional techniques. By using the precise materials required, 3D printing could save on scrap wood and metal dumped in landfills and reduce carbon emissions by decreasing the need to ship prefabricated slabs or mix and pour concrete on location. Grandview Research projects 3D-printed construction will experience a 91.7% compound annual growth rate through 2028. 

Increasing Use of Drones 

The increasing use of drones is one of the most significant AEC industry trends. Drones (also called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAV) started as a gimmick, but are now recognized in the industry for their numerous benefits. The overhead views provided by drones give construction teams a clear overall perspective of the job site, helping them track everything from surveys and machinery to materials and people.  

Drones are equipped with cameras that can take images and videos for an aerial view of a job site and this can be used to survey sites, track changes and identify differences between the site design and the site “as-built.” The images and videos can also be used to establish detailed 3D models of job sites that can be imported into a BIM system. The images and videos also document progress of the job. 

Increasing Use of Cloud Technology 

Cloud technology has experienced new popularity in the AEC industry in recent years, with the use of cloud-based software. The AEC industry’s movement to the cloud was originally limited by the absence of cloud-based computer-aided design (CAD) software. Now, the situation has changed, and more construction resources are transitioning to a cloud environment. 

Reduction of IT expenses are achieved since the company is hosting their software and data storage in the cloud, which means less IT hardware and storage space and less maintenance. 

Cloud software and storage solutions can be scaled up or down easily based on the company’s needs. A company can scale their cloud solutions as needed and only pay for what they require. 

Integrated cloud solutions is one of the most significant benefits of cloud technology for the AEC industry. Cloud-based software solutions are often backed by dedicated support teams, who can set up integrations that automatically transfer data between platforms.  

Increased accessibility is critical and the cloud provides real benefits for this because it allows access to project data anywhere and anytime, facilitating greater information accessibility and communication. Construction professionals reported that poor communication and mediocre project data contributed to 48% of all rework on job sites.  

The Future of AEC Technology 

The ultimate success of AEC firms will be driven by how firms react to these technology trends. Firms that adapt the new technologies will be a disruptor and those that do not will be the disrupted. The successful adoption of new technology often dictates which AEC firms become future industry leaders. A major factor in this success involves selecting the right innovations to implement.  

Glenn Ebersole is a registered professional engineer and the Director of Business Development at JL Architects, a nationally licensed commercial architecture firm based in West Chester. He can be contacted by [email protected] or 717-575-8572.