Robotics, Construction, and Capital

It is easy to dismiss robots as only working in a controlled environment. It is also easy to dismiss looking at the speed, flaws and costs.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share

As you watch the Atlas Robot from Boston Dynamics do some basic parkour moves

or this drywall hanging robot:

 it is also easy to dismiss looking at the speed, flaws and costs.

However take a look at where the technology was at in 2009: 

While still impressive we have come a very long ways. This would be having an uncoordinated dog in 2009 being able to hang a pieces of sheetrock in 2018.  

Look at the rapid leaps we have made with mobile technology as we went from “candybar phones” in 2005 to the first smartphone in 2011.

Where do you think we are at in that innovation curve when it comes to robotics?  

  • Keep in mind that more and more of construction is moving towards offsite fabrication in a controlled environment that will accelerate the use of robotics.  
  • Keep in mind that the balance of the 3 basic constraints on a contracting business shift towards capital when this tipping point occurs.
  • Rise of the Robots is a great book to provide food for strategic thought.

What is your technology strategy?  How is it integrated with your talent and capital management strategies? 




Building a Systems Development Team - Management
The CPM (Critical Path Method) of project management is very commonly used in the management of construction projects. CPM works very well when the components of the design and the project are mostly known to all responsible parties.
Issue 9 of 9: Low Barriers to Entry
Construction Ownership Transition Issue 9 of 9: There are Few Barriers to Entry for New Contractors. About 500 construction contractors start up each day. In most cases, a new contractor starting up will cause a serious talent drain and add competition.
Leadership Combinations and States of Market Growth
There is a beautiful tension in leadership teams that is required for growth. That tension shifts with different stages of a market's growth and must be integrated with the contractor's stage of growth as a company.