Construction companies are turning to advanced technologies like AI, drones, and robots to combat the ongoing worker shortage in the industry. These innovations are aimed at enhancing efficiency, productivity, and safety while opening up new job opportunities. The construction sector faces challenges in balancing the benefits of technology with concerns about job displacement, as it navigates the path towards a more high-tech future.
Technological Advancements Transforming the Construction Industry Amid Worker Shortage
EDWARDS, Ill. (NewsNation) – As the construction industry grapples with a chronic worker shortage, companies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to bridge the gap. The innovations aim to maintain efficiency and productivity amid a declining workforce.
Jim Barrett, Chief Innovation Officer at Turner Construction, highlights the industry’s staffing challenge: for every five workers who retire, only two new ones enter the field. To tackle this issue, construction firms are leveraging high-tech solutions. Drones equipped with AI are used to map out projects and predict obstacles, while robots trained using AI technology are employed to transport and lay bricks.
At Caterpillar’s testing facility in Edwards, Illinois, Cat Command technology demonstrates the industry’s technological evolution. Matt Magness of Caterpillar operates construction equipment located in Arizona to North Carolina from Illinois using a remote control system. This innovation allows one person to control up to five pieces of equipment across different locations, given a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Caterpillar has invested $2.1 billion in research and development for product innovation in 2023, including its Cat Command technology. This tech is aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency, and opening up job opportunities for those who cannot work on physical sites.
Despite the costs associated with implementing new technologies, smaller construction firms are encouraged to invest in these advancements to stay competitive. Barrett believes that AI will transform the industry more in the next decade than any previous innovation in the past 100 years.
The average age of U.S. construction workers is 42, with a slight increase in those under 25 in recent years. However, the proportion of workers aged 35-42 has decreased. Companies must balance the benefits of AI and technology with concerns about job displacement, ensuring that these tools are seen as augmenting rather than replacing human workers.
Ken Simonson, Chief Economist at The Associated General Contractors of America, notes the construction industry’s ongoing struggle with labor shortages, intensified post-COVID-19, with about 383,000 job openings as of April 2023. Technology serves as a potential solution, offering remote and safer work conditions, helping the industry adapt, and attracting a younger workforce.
Caterpillar’s gradual approach to fully autonomous equipment aims to align with the industry’s trajectory while promoting safety and efficiency. The goal is to ensure that technology adoption is smooth and beneficial, addressing both workforce shortages and the need for operational efficiency.
Contact Information:
For more insights and details on construction technology solutions, visit Caterpillar’s official site or reach out to Turner Construction’s innovation team.
