Close the data leverage gap with construction automation

Hexagon's Autonomous Construction Tech Outlook offers valuable insights — derived from a survey of more than 1,000 industry leaders — into how automation can help your firm accomplish its most critical business objectives.

Image of Hexagon’s report about automation construction on a tablet

Unlock better results with automation

Explore construction automation's role in overcoming challenges and meeting priorities in Hexagon’s newest report

Building construction projects generate many terabytes of valuable data, but due to the overwhelming volume, this data is often underutilised or lost. This creates a "data leverage gap" that, if bridged, could unlock valuable project insights that lead to better project outcomes.


The solution to this data leverage gap?

Autonomy.

By automating the production, collection, analysis and distribution of construction data through the project lifecycle, you can improve data quality and accuracy while creating a single source of truth for all stakeholders. Autonomous technology can organise real-time data into a common environment, providing stakeholders with valuable insights that drive action.

Hexagon and FMI conducted a survey of more than 1,000 technology leaders — including almost 300 C-level executives — from top global commercial construction firms to better understand the state of autonomy and its role in solving the industry's most pressing problems. The results are now available in the Autonomous Construction Tech Outlook, created especially for technology decision-makers in construction.

The Autonomous Construction Tech Outlook offers insights into:

  • Rate and type of autonomous technology implemented
  • Key areas where automation has a significant impact in building construction
  • Strategies for overcoming resistance to implementing construction automation
  • The role autonomous technology will have in the industry's future

These insights will help you address your business priorities and challenges and make informed decisions about implementing automation in your construction processes.


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A yellow excavator atop a mound of dirt, framed by a beautiful blue sky, depicting the potential of automation construction
An engineer holding a tablet, gazing upon a building construction project that is maximising the use of its data thanks to the power of construction automation
A construction executive who has returned from a successful day onsite and is viewing important metrics on his laptop enabled by automation in construction

Utilise your data to the fullest and achieve key business objectives with construction automation

Autonomous technologies allow GC firms to generate a digital thread of data throughout the entire building lifecycle, closing the data leverage gap. These tools give you the right data at the right time to uncover insights that enhance project profitability, quality and sustainability.


The Autonomous Construction Tech Outlook has shown that firms that leverage automation to put data to work are achieving meaningful results in critical metrics, including improvements to supply chain mapping, enhanced sustainability and improved process efficiency. Don't miss out on these benefits — ensure that your firm is taking advantage of construction automation.


Closing the data leverage gap

Construction Tech Talk interview

Automation's impact on construction

Aligning priorities and investments

Take your next step

Discover the benefits of autonomous and automated technologies for your construction firm.
  • What is autonomous construction?

    Autonomy is simply advanced automation, including the use of intelligent technologies — such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics — to perform tasks traditionally carried out by humans in the construction industry. This technology covers a wide range of applications, from data capture and project management tools that automate various aspects of construction projects, such as estimating, scheduling and progress monitoring, to fully autonomous robots that carry out specific tasks, such as bricklaying or excavation, without human intervention.

    By leveraging autonomous construction technologies, GC firms can significantly increase productivity, reduce costs and enhance sustainability on jobsites. Furthermore, these technologies can minimise errors and improve the accuracy of construction processes — resulting in projects that are completed on time, within budget and meet the required quality standards.

  • What are examples of construction automation?

    The construction industry has seen a rapid transformation in recent years thanks to advancements in technology. Automation has become an integral part of the construction process, performing tedious tasks to improve productivity, reduce costs and enhance sustainability efforts.

    Here are some examples of construction automation:

    • Collaboration: Office-to-field communication, report creation and distribution
    • Construction vehicles: Machine control systems, environmental awareness, safety awareness
    • Data capture: As-built capturing, reality capture
    • Document management tools: Change orders, defect management, O&Ms, punch lists, RFIs
    • Measurement: Laser measuring, laser scanning, mobile mapping, point cloud processing and modelling
    • Modelling and simulation: 4D/5D BIM modelling and simulation, BIM visualisation software, digital layout, clash detection
    • Monitoring: Productivity and progress monitoring, site surveillance and insights
    • Pre-construction: Bid management, capital planning, estimating, schedule creation
    • Project management tools: Billing, change management, reporting, budgeting logistics management, materials requisition and allocation, resource management, scheduling, subcontractor management, time tracking, tool tracking, maintenance/calibration, work packaging
    • Quality checks: Impact assessments, punch lists
    • Surveying: Robotic total stations, ground-penetrating radar, preparing, compiling analysing survey data
    • Verification tools: As-built verification tools, project inspection
    • Workplace safety: AI image analysis, compliance tracking, incident reporting, job hazard analysis, machine control
  • What are the benefits of using automation in construction?

    The implementation of construction automation technology —incorporating advanced elements such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics— has demonstrated numerous advantages, significantly transforming the construction landscape.

    For example, autonomous technology offers a competitive edge when pursuing new business opportunities, as clients increasingly seek companies that utilise cutting-edge technology for efficient project execution. Moreover, this technology encourages smoother cross-functional collaboration, enabling teams to work cohesively and expedite decision-making processes. Communication between the office and the field is significantly enhanced through the deployment of autonomous systems, leading to swifter and more precise information exchange, dramatically improving overall project coordination.

    To learn more about the benefits that GC firms are experiencing through the implementation of autonomation in construction, read our Autonomous Construction Technology Outlook.

  • Will construction jobs be automated?

    Construction automation and autonomy can help construction firms improve their resiliency, reduce costs and allocate scarce human resources to more critical tasks. Autonomous technology is not a replacement for human labour but rather a powerful tool that can enhance teams' efficiency and productivity. Mundane, repetitive and hazardous tasks can now be delegated to automated systems, allowing people to concentrate on tasks with greater value, such as decision-making and critical thinking.