b'TECHNOLOGYTESTING AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT AT WATERLOO UNIVERSITY THAT IS INTENDED FOR USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYBRACING FOR AN AUTOMATION REVOLUTIONIT MAY HAVE BEEN SLOW TO CATCH ON, BUT AUTOMATION IS FINALLY MAKING INROADS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYBy Warren HeeleyTHE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY is on the verge of an construction sector are moving towards automated processes as a automation revolution that will significantly change howpart of improving their overall efficiency and productivity, he says.construction sites function in the future, say experts. Various forms of automation are now availableincluding robotics, 3D printingThere are also additional signs that construction automation and dronesto make construction sites more efficient andis approaching a revolution, adds Haas, a civil engineer by effective in their operations, and more new tools are becomingprofession. Attendance at the annual International Symposium on available on an almost monthly basis. Automation and Robotics in Construction, for instance, has shown a definite upswing in the last few years. (The next Symposium is What impact are these automation tools having on thetaking place in Banff, Alberta, in May.)construction site? And is automation finally being embraced by construction companies, or is it having a difficult time taking hold? There has also been an overwhelming increase in the number of construction technology startups across the globefrom 56 According to Carl Haas, a University of Waterloo professorto more than 100 startups annually over the last five years, with researching automation in construction, automation is clearlyinvestment jumping from $200 million to more than $800 million. gaining momentum. Many of the larger companies in theAnother indicator is that many manufacturing processes are being 32BUILDERSDIGESTQuarter 12019'