Canada’s construction industry lags in the adoption of smart digital technology, as per the recently released Construction in a digital world. Approximately 75% of firms surveyed for the report rated their digital knowledge as quite low compared to their competitors; almost three in five say their company “needs to moderately or considerably adapt their digital strategy”, although many are unsure which technologies would allow them to be the most competitive.
Plumbing and HVAC magazine summarized the aforementioned report, saying “The industry is on the cusp of digital transformation with leading firms already adopting technology – from analytics to drones, robotics, 3D printing, and augmented reality – to yield improved productivity, safety and decision-making.”
Construction companies primarily invest in technologies that will integrate systems to reduce redundancy, improve back-office support, reduce back-office costs, and improve employee and customer experiences. Building Smart Canada lists ten key technologies that offer the construction industry an opportunity to digitally transform over the next ten years, including:
- Symmetrical collaboration in the cloud,
- Site-surveying drones,
- Prefabrication and digital fabrication,
- Internet of Things (IoT), and
- Blockchain technology.
BuildForce Canada suggests the non-residential sector to experience the highest growth between 2021 and 2023, thanks to projects in public transit, health care, education, roadwork, and civil infrastructure. After an up-and-down year in 2020, Canada’s residential construction industry is expected to experience a growth spurt moving into 2022. Companies with experience in related products, services, and technology may benefit from exploring opportunities in this sector.
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