During my time in the U.S. military, I commanded a unit responsible for transporting large amounts of U.S. currency in Iraq to fund critical infrastructure projects, such as water purification facilities, schools, and hospitals. Getting these projects done quickly and under budget required strategic planning and the efficient use of complex technology. That experience inspired me to continue using technology to solve hard problems in sectors that have historically had little access to it.
While other sectors rapidly modernize, most of America's construction industry still relies on the same technology used 50 years ago. I see massive potential for technology reform in the construction industry, which could not come soon enough.
There's an undeniable housing crisis in the U.S., and while there are a number of contributing factors—inflation, rising rent, and high interest rates—the biggest factor is that there are simply not enough new houses being built.
Many cities have started easing building restrictions in an attempt to build new housing faster, and construction spending globally is projected to hit $15 trillion by 2030. But the industry must modernize to keep pace. We need to make it easier, faster, and more affordable to build new houses in the U.S. The good news? We already have a blueprint for how to do it.
Military operations and construction projects both require crystal-clear communication and the synchronization of complex logistics. New housing could be built at lightning speeds if the construction industry were to adopt some of the most transformative pieces of technology currently used by the U.S. military.
Better Training for Safer, Faster Construction
The military uses augmented reality (AR) simulations to allow soldiers to experience realistic combat scenarios in a safe environment, which better prepares them for what they will face in the field.
AR can similarly be applied to construction crew training. Construction sites are dangerous environments, and most training programs, including paid apprenticeships, can take up to four years. What's more, human error resulting from incorrect interpretation of design models often leads to rework, extending project timelines.
AR can help solve these problems. When the German construction company Goldbeck implemented AR into their training curriculum, and provided access design information onsite, they reported saving $135,000 per week, lowering QA time by 80 percent, and significantly reducing rework.
Not only would using AR increase safety on job sites, it would streamline the entire building process, allowing more housing to be built faster.
Speeding Up Production With IoT Sensors
Another crucial piece of military technology is IoT sensors attached to vehicles, equipment, and weapons. When inventory is damaged or out of commission, the sensors relay that information to expedite replacement orders.
Using IoT sensors in housing construction would be a true gamechanger for the industry. All too often, projects are slowed when equipment breaks down or supplies run short. If the crew were informed of low supplies or equipment issues ahead of time, replacements could be acquired much faster.
IoT wearables can also monitor workers' breathing rate, heart rate, and body response to certain work environments, keeping them safer while on the job. Adoption of IoT devices in construction is growing, though not as rapidly in the U.S. as in Asia and other parts of the world. Residential construction in the U.S. needs to adopt IoT tech more readily to speed up housing production and reap the immense efficiency and safety benefits.
Using Data to Eliminate Red Tape
Just as data analytics provide information to support intelligent decision-making in the military, so could they provide key information during the construction planning process. Over 80 percent of construction companies could be using better data analytics, which would increase profits and spearhead additional opportunities for building.
Improved access to data could also speed up permitting, a notoriously fraught process particularly in states like California with numerous building restrictions. Using data to create predictive modeling for new construction projects could produce more accurate work timelines and identify environmental impacts to expedite the approval process.
Better Tech Doesn't Have to Mean Higher Costs
When outdated technology is replaced with more efficient systems, construction leaders often realize they're actually saving money. Data analytics software is one of the most affordable and easiest pieces of technology to implement. And while IoT devices are more costly, they help save money in the long run by flagging over-usage of resources, reducing unnecessary spending.
The construction industry is long overdue for serious technological reform. The military can serve as a guide to shepherd this change and help solve the U.S. housing crisis. Now is the time to use it.
Alok Chanani, a former U.S. Army captain, is the co-founder and CEO of BuildOps.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Uncommon Knowledge
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