Faris, E; Matarneh, S; Talebi, S; Kagioglou, M; Hosseini, M R and Abrishami, S (2021) Toward digitalization in the construction industry with immersive and drones technologies: A critical literature review. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 10(3), pp. 345-363. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
In this study, a critical literature review was utilized in order to provide a clear review of the relevant existing studies. The literature was analyzed using the meta-synthesis technique to evaluate and integrate the findings in a single context. Digital transformation in construction requires employing a wide range of various technologies. There is significant progress of research in adopting technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, and immersive technologies in the construction industry over the last two decades. The purpose of this research is to assess the current status of employing UAVs and immersive technologies toward digitalizing the construction industry and highlighting the potential applications of these technologies, either individually or in combination and integration with each other. The key findings are: (1) UAVs in conjunction with 4D building information modeling (BIM) can be used to assess the project progress and compliance checking of geometric design models, (2) immersive technologies can be used to enable controlling construction projects remotely, applying/checking end users' requirements, construction education and team collaboration. A detailed discussion around the application of UAVs and immersive technologies is provided. This is expected to support gaining an in-depth understanding of the practical applications of these technologies in the industry. The review contributes a needed common basis for capturing progress made in UAVs and immersive technologies to date and assessing their impact on construction projects. Moreover, this paper opens a new horizon for novice researchers who will conduct research toward digitalized construction.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | digitalization; immersive technologies; building information modeling; unmanned aerial vehicles; virtual reality; drone vehicles; building management systems |
| Index terms: | end user, drone, design model, transformation, virtual reality, building information modelling, building management system, construction industry, compliance, digitalization, construction project, construction education, team collaboration, integration, unmanned aerial vehicle, immersive technology, literature review |
| Subjects: | digital technology, industry analysis, mechanical systems, production management, virtual reality, data analysis and analytics, organizational analysis, professional education, stakeholder, design process, collaborative management, information systems, automation and robotics, health safety and environment, business |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Education, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Design Practice, Health and Safety, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here