ConTech

[edit] Introduction

Start-up technology companies are seeking to challenge the construction, real estate, and property management sectors, and the proliferation of mobile technology has drastically changed consumer behaviour, creating a culture of ‘always online’ users.

ConTech is a phrase that has been coined to identify advanced construction technology. It broadly describes the intersection of construction and technology. ConTech is often used in conjunction with the term PropTech, which is derived from the words property and technology. This refers to emerging technology companies that are influencing and disrupting the property market.

Online services and apps have widened the scope of what users expect to be able to access, and these emerging technologies are often mentioned along with other well established concept such as:

• FinTech - a fairly universal term associated with finance and technology.
• RealTech - commonly used in the United States to cover real estate technology.
• CREtech - commercial real estate technology.
• Real EsTech - a European concept associated with entrepreneurial, start-up real estate technology.

[edit] Differences between PropTech and ConTech

PropTech is relatively well established in the real estate lexicon and is generally considered the umbrella concept for the terms associated with tech and other aspects of property management and construction. Initially, PropTech referred to buying, renting, selling, managing, designing and constructing residential and commercial properties. Now it is primarily associated with pre-construction activities (such as property sales and leasing issues) along with post-construction tasks (such as operations and maintenance).

For more information, see PropTech.

By contrast, ConTech is now recognised in many circles as the term associated with the design and construction aspects of residential and commercial buildings. It is linked with pre-construction processes, including architecture and design, along with civil engineering and other tasks associated with the building phases of projects.

[edit] What does ConTech include?

As part of the construction vocabulary, ConTech is now established in its own right. The term can cover everything within the construction sector that is digitally connected. BIM (Building Information Modelling) is one process associated with ConTech, which also includes several others, including the following:

[edit] Communications technology

While mobile phones and other portable communication devices have long been part of the construction environment, the latest construction software and apps can store and even transmit important documents such as drawings, documents and specifications for on-site components.

[edit] Wearable technology

Wearable technology has also proven itself as a helpful tool in site safety, while smart sensors and barcodes can be used for data collection purposes.

[edit] Component design and manufacturing

One example of ConTech that has been in use for some time is 3D printing, which can create construction components or 'print' entire buildings. BIM can facilitate greater use of 3D printing and result in faster and more accurate bespoke items. It might also enable construction to be undertaken in harsh or dangerous environments not suitable for a human workforce. Offsite prefabrication of materials and building components can also be expedited through the use of 3D printing.

For more information see: 3D printing.

[edit] Augmented reality, assisted reality and virtual reality

Augmented reality and virtual reality are other forms of ConTech that have been successfully used for modelling purposes, site walkthroughs, stakeholder visualisations and so on.

For more information see: Augmented reality and Virtual reality and Assisted reality

[edit] Robotics

A form of advanced construction technology, robotics are being deployed in some building installation projects. They may also prove useful in handling repetitive motions or high vibration tasks that can lead to injuries in workers.

For more information see: Robots.

[edit] Artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics

AI-empowered autonomous equipment can navigate within its surroundings without human assistance. This type of equipment can survey a proposed construction site and create 3D maps and plans from the information it has gathered.

Predictive analytics can be used to identify risk and streamline construction workflow processes. This form of ConTech can use real-time and historical data as well as weather and environmental information to help construction companies use their equipment better. For example, construction firms can prevent unscheduled downtime or make machinery last longer while also improving equipment dispatching and planning.

For more information see: Artificial intelligence.

[edit] Drones

Also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones are a form of ConTech that is well suited for site safety, security surveillance and general activity monitoring. They can give relatively easy access to large or difficult sites or to large, complex or tall structures. They can gather aerial data, mapping information and images that can be used for:

• Surveys.
• Inspections.
• Providing visual material for clients and other stakeholders.
• Mapping data across sites.

For more information see: Drones.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• 3D printing in construction
• Advanced construction technology.
• Assisted reality aR.
• Augmented reality in construction.
• BSI construction product identification system.
• Building information modelling BIM.
• CIOB Connect mobile app.
• Cobots.
• Construction drones.
• Construction innovation.
• Construction project management software.
• ConTech in a post lockdown, pre-vaccine economy.
• Edge devices.
• FinTech.
• How technology is changing the real estate industry.
• How we should regulate the real estate industry.
• Industry Disruption: 10 ways real estate is changing.
• Information and communications technology in construction.
• Modern methods of construction.
• Mixed reality.
• Post processed kinematic PPK.
• Predictive analytics.
• Prefabrication.
• PropTech.
• Real estate in the augmented age.
• Remote working and cloud-based BIM.
• Robots.
• Shaping the Future of Construction: Inspiring innovators redefine the industry.
• Social distancing on construction sites.
• Trends towards wearables and wellbeing in buildings.
• Upcycling buildings.
• Uses of drones in construction.
• Virtual reality construction experience for students.
• Virtual reality in construction.
• Wearable technology.

[edit] External references

• Leigh Manning, "What is ConTech?", 12 April 2020, Construction Global.