Construction Law

5G: Game-Changing Technology for Construction Projects featured image

5G: Game-Changing Technology for Construction Projects

What is 5G?

5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks enabling a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together, including machines, objects, and devices.

5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra-low latency (lag), more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and more uniform user experience to users. Essentially, there is increased performance and improved efficiency.

How Can it Help the Construction Industry?

For example, 5G allows drones to be programmed to fly over construction sites to lay in GPS co-ordinates, to monitor grades, and depths of excavations at the early stages of a build. Drones could also be set up to automatically fly surveillance over the site for security, both in daylight and at night, resulting in lower labour costs and increased safety.

Building locations will be more accurately mapped, 3D drawings of structures could be overlaid over emerging structures for both visual and automated checks, and inventory and assets could be tagged and tracked. This ultimately allows for a more accurate supply chain replenishment since it can be automated. Further, on large sites, autonomous vehicles can plug into the 5G control network and be programmed to make their repetitive runs. Dump trucks can move dirt, and autonomous vehicles could be automatically moved around job sites.

While the benefits should be staggering in the early stages of construction projects, 5G will also help with plumbing, electrical work, roofing, HVAC, and all manner of other aspects of the finishing touches of projects.

What is the Bottom Line?

Ultimately, 5G technology should revolutionize all aspects of construction projects. It will cut down on labour costs, increase safety protocols, and increase efficiencies. There are some political hurdles to getting the technology off the ground, but that should not derail its implementation much longer.

 

Written by Jeremy Power, a lawyer in Cotney Attorneys & Consultant’s Toronto office. To contact Jeremy, please email jpower@cotneycl.com.

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.