Autodesk CEO’s 2019 Predictions – AI, M&A, Industrialized Construction, Oh My!

• • AI / Machine Learning in Construction: Autodesk anticipates the increased exploration and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered algorithms in construction, which already demonstrates significant benefits to the industry. In the year ahead, we will more regularly see AI and machine learning on the jobsite and as a result, more firms will realize its benefits to the construction workflow, saving companies time, money and, most importantly, increasing workers’ safety.

• • Background: Autodesk is the earliest developer of and investor in machine learning on construction sites with Autodesk BIM 360 Project IQ and Smartvid.io, respectively.  Using Autodesk BIM 360 Project IQ, more than 40 contractors report improved quality and reduced risk to personnel, specifically reducing risk of the ‘fatal four’.

• Investments, M&A in Construction: In the past year, we saw a significant increase in the amount of money invested in construction – $1.05B was invested in construction tech startups in H1 of 2018, with 119 funding deals involving construction tech startups (up from 104 in 2017 and 97 in 2016). These stats, coupled with many acquisitions within the industry, demonstrate how this trend will only continue as the industry delves further into its digital transformation.

  • Background: Autodesk invested in seven construction startups in 2017 and 2018 (3DR, Smartvid.io, Project Frog, ManufactOn, Assemble Systems, eSub, Rhumbix), and acquired Assemble Systems and PlanGrid. Autodesk has also signed a definitive agreement to acquire BuildingConnected.

• Industrialized Construction Comes into the Spotlight: In 2018, we saw many construction firms begin to turn to industrialized construction practices to meet the ever-increasing demand for commercial and residential buildings. We are seeing more and more firms adopt methods like prefabricated and modular construction, resulting in building components being created quickly and more accurately, with less waste. In 2019, we expect to see wider adoption of these methods, and more manufacturing techniques including additive and subtractive manufacturing, to be used on construction sites.

  • Background: Autodesk is leading the industrialization of construction, including investing in companies that manage an evolving supply chain (similar to manufacturing), bring manufacturing and additive construction processes to the field (robotics and cargo container), and supporting prefabrication and modular methods.

Tags: Industry Predictions

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