Construction Law
Autonomous Technology Addressing Labor Shortage in the Construction Industry
By this point, you’re probably well aware that the construction industry is facing a labor shortage unlike any other industry in the United States, with thousands of vacant positions waiting to be filled by experienced and highly skilled workers. This is not only alarming but detrimental, as such a shortage is associated with project delays, rising materials costs, and loss of contracts, just to name a few. A number of solutions have been proposed to mitigate this shortage, including efforts to attract younger generations to the construction industry; however, one solution may prove to be more promising than the rest.
In this brief article, a construction lawyer in Wilmington, NC, with Cotney Construction Law discusses the potential for autonomous technology to address the labor shortage in the construction industry while preserving the safety of our workers. To stay ahead of the curve with day-to-day developments in the industry, partner with a construction attorney in Wilmington, NC, today.
Related: Understanding the Construction Industry’s Labor Shortage Problem
How Does Autonomous Technology Differ From Other Technology Trends in the Construction Industry?
Prior to reviewing the potential benefits of incorporating autonomous technology on your construction jobsite, we will first go over how the rise of autonomous technology differs from other technology trends and what technology you may already be using on the job. For example, consider the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones. The construction industry has been making use of drones for years now, citing improvements in safety conditions and efficiency alike.
More recently, however, thanks to a study conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Langley Research Center, the construction industry has moved towards the use of autonomous drones able to function without the need for a human controller. The same trend has been observed in other forms of technology, such as automated robots that are programmed to perform tasks such as bricklaying or drilling. This is an even greater breakthrough than other automated technology like driverless trucks because autonomous drones don’t need to be controlled remotely via a human operator.
Related: Autonomous Drones in the Construction Industry
How Can Autonomous Technology Mitigate the Labor Shortage?
The rise of autonomous technology may help mitigate the labor shortage in the construction industry by removing some of the burden created by a lack of workers. Autonomous heavy equipment is being used for everything from soil compaction to asphalt rolling. Not only can such technology close the gap between the supply and demand of workers, but they have also been found to speed up production schedules, increase accuracy, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and free up skilled human laborers for other tasks.
Overall, autonomous technology is in a position to change the way people view the construction industry and help out with the labor shortage. Additionally, it may help to attract a new, younger generatihttps://cotneycl.com/construction/construction-lawyer-in-wilmington-nc/on of skilled workers. Partner with a contractor attorney in Wilmington, NC, today to begin implementing safety features on your jobsite.
If you would like to speak with a contractor lawyer in Wilmington, NC, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.