Technology has radically changed the way organizations do business, form partnerships, relate to customers and succeed in today's consumer market. Digital adoption has provided companies with great opportunities to commercialize products, reach a larger customer base, and accelerate interactions and decisions. However, many of these opportunities depend on harnessing the ideal technology and using it wisely.
Experts predict that within 10 years, companies that fully digitize their workplace will be able to speed up workflow and generate substantial cost savings. For example, the engineering and construction (E&C) industry is already taking advantage of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality and robotic devices.
These technical discoveries help companies improve their processes and fundamentally change the way buildings and projects are developed and designed. Here are three such digital technologies:
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Virtual reality (VR)
Immersive VR offers an immersive experience in a simulated world. It was developed using a mix of computer graphics, wireless tracking technology, HD projectors, headphones, polarized glass and other features. For example, using 3D sound effects provides a more accurate experience so that the virtual environment feels real to users. Eye and head tracking typically uses laser pointers, LED lights, or mobile sensors to ensure an accurate experience.
The goal is to create an artificial world that users can recognize and navigate virtually in real time.
VR is well established in the video game industry, but is expected to reach several markets in the coming years. In the automotive industry, for example, Ford's Vehicle Immersive Environment allows engineers from different countries to work and simulate automobile design and assembly work.
Likewise, engineers who use 3D modeling and VR as part of the design process can experiment more freely and test different models without the cost of physical assembly.
Virtual tours also allow architects, builders, and even potential new homeowners to “walk through” floor plans and home construction plans. Google's Daydream even takes users on incredible virtual reality adventures, allowing them to explore the world from the comfort of home.
The world of 3D virtual design and manufacturing is a rapidly growing industry. According to recent statistics, the global VR and AR (augmented reality) market is expected to grow to $209.2 billion by 2022. The number of VR startups has increased by 14% in less than a year.
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Robotics
Although construction has always been a manual job, robots are developing to automate the process and especially for tedious tasks. For example, “cobots” or assisted robotics – where a robot and a human work simultaneously on a project – are expected to advance and accelerate construction and engineering projects.
The benefit of automation is efficiency, speed, accuracy and long-term cost savings. It can also provide better health for employees by helping with repeated stress injuries.
In engineering terms, robots can offer similar benefits. One company, KUKA, recently developed a mobile robot for semiconductor production. Semiconductors are, of course, essential for industries such as smartphones and tablets or automobiles and aerospace. The company has created what it calls “the world’s first single-source solution for automated transfer and handling of semiconductor cassettes.”
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Artificial intelligence (AI)
For robots to be successful, the integration of AI is required – machines that can function or react similarly to humans. The most promising applications of AI are in production systems that provide predictive maintenance, quality management and supply chain optimization.
AI can also help organizations sort, manage, and understand overwhelming amounts of factory or machine data and turn it into actionable response suggestions.
By implementing AI into Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, devices can essentially communicate with each other and streamline processes. IoT allows data to be transferred across a network without the need for a human interface.
However, large amounts of data require a computing environment with the capacity to handle them. Data management also requires storage and response solutions. Studies indicate that around 70% of captured production data remains intact. This means that AI users ultimately still need to determine what data is relevant based on AI inputs and how that data is used and processed.
However, AI is one of the fastest growing emerging technologies, with a market expected to reach $70 billion by 2020.
