Just as everyone is accustomed to life in the world of 4G internet, 5G wireless coverage is already beginning to shape the future. Despite predictions that argue 5G will not be readily available until 2021, the preliminary framework for it were established towards the end of 2017. 5G cellular wireless coverage is much further along than many anticipated and is certainly an advancement that should be embraced, as the benefits are incredibly exciting. As the world becomes faster and more agile, it is essential that the technology can effectively support it.

However, it is also important to understand the ways in which it will affect day-to-day on a personal and a professional level. Construction technology, in particular, will undergo major changes as 5G becomes more commonplace. The implementation of 5G will generate faster and more accessible video, which will provide advancements for construction.

Virtual Control of Construction Equipment

Autonomous construction equipment is steadily becoming more prolific. As 5G capabilities continue to become more commonplace and more accessible, autonomous construction equipment will follow suit. Video integration supported by the strength of 5G will allow site managers newfound luxuries that were simply unavailable to them previously. Specifically, 5G will grant them the ability to control workplace equipment remotely, by virtually "taking the driver's seat." The additional wireless coverage coupled with emerging technology will provide unprecedented operating control over equipment, as managers will view its responses via video, in real time, as if they were physically there.
Improved safety

Construction can be dangerous. Vehicles, machinery, heights, workers—the list of variables on a construction site are numerous and significant. Interestingly, recent studies on workplace safety do not suggest they have become safer over time. Workplace deaths and injuries are on the rise, with workplace deaths rising 7% in 2016 from the previous year, for a total of 5,190 deaths. One method that has been proven to improve the safety of the workers and the precision of the work is incorporating advanced technology to the work site.

The rise of 5G will play a pivotal role in supporting these advanced technologies, and, ultimately, improving on-site safety. The ability to operate equipment remotely via 5G-driven video all but eliminates opportunities for workers to get injured on the job site. The only way to remove human injury is to remove humans - at least in a physical sense. 5G-supported video allows humans to remain in direct control of the equipment—just from a safer location.

Enhanced Video Analytics

Improvements in wireless coverage will translate directly into enhanced video capabilities, resulting in more thorough and more useful video analytics. With quicker and more accessible video streaming from the job site back to a corporate HQ, any job site can now be monitored live in a central command center. Not only will the real-time video improve the overall quality of the work being done, but the quality of the data extracted will improve, as well. Managers will benefit from the more detailed actionable insights, and will be able to implement far better work strategies immediately and plan more effectively for the future.

The world is becoming more dependent on technology, as the benefits are too plentiful to be ignored. The world of construction is one of the main beneficiaries of such technological improvements. From top to bottom, the construction industry is realizing the direct impacts of leveraging advanced technology supported by 5G, which has translated to more complete site control, safer on-site working conditions, and enhanced video analytics. As more construction firms take notice of the capabilities, 5G-supported technologies will continue to be adopted.