Gone are those days when it would take years to build something. Now you have bricklaying robots like SAM (semi automated mason), 3D printing and other technologies zipping up the speed of construction. Anuj Puri, chairman, Anarock Property Consultants, shares the latest in this space:

What are the technologies changing the face of construction?

3D Printing (large-scale printing of homes) is expected to change the way real estate builds over the next decade. Though nascent, 3D Printing can potentially replace a substantial amount of construction across major segments, including residential, commercial or even retail and thus cause a major manufacturing paradigm shift.

Besides reducing waste, cost and labour requirements, it will help builders penetrate inaccessible areas, including dense urban centres where it is impossible to set up heavy machinery for construction. It will also enable eventual printing of internal structures and walls, e.g. plumbing, electrical systems and venting.

Another technology gaining ground is Building Information Modelling (BIM) software that allows designers to produce 3D mock-ups of planned structures with inclusion of information on its cost and time.

Additionally,construction companies have begun using Virtual Reality/Augmented Realty tech to enhance worker safety training. It allows workers to visualise the serious construction site hazards.

Although expensive, the use of drones is gaining popularity for managing and inspecting sites. It allows developers to map a site and create 2D as well as 3D images. Most advanced drones use a coordinate-based system which helps achieve absolute accuracy in measurements.

Any examples of these in India?

Some examples of companies using BIM software include the Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation. In Amritsar, a rapid transit system was constructed using Virtual Design and Construction technology. Spread over 4km, this is one of the finest examples of the application of BIM technology in India.

While 3D printing is yet to kickstart in India, an entire two-storey house was 3D printed from concrete in Beijing in just 45 days from start to finish.

Is there a significant investment that construction companies have to do to adopt these technologies?

Many small and medium organisations are shying away from BIM technology as it involves high implementation fee and training costs, including the cost of hiring experts, training the existing workforce and making an investment in new technologies. Since most of these organisations don’t have enough budgets to meet these additional expenditures, they prefer to follow traditional methods.

3D Printing machines can cost as high as $2,000,000. At less than 33 feet in height, and with a throughput of less than 550 pounds (250 kg) per hour, it is limited to printing only small buildings. For large-size buildings including multi-storey offices or large malls, a far more ambitious machine would be needed.

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