This year saw a shortage of housing inventory among other shortages in the construction industry, but it appears homebuilders are beginning to move towards utilizing new technology to address these issues.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, 3D printing and robots have entered the housing construction market, but AI is far less common.
In the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index and NAHB Remodeling Market Index, it was revealed that trusses are the most common type of construction technology used. Over 70% of builders and remodelers use roof trusses, and over 50% of builders and remodelers use floor trusses.
According to the surveys, 1% of builders and remodelers reported using 3D printed forms. And 0% of both builders and remodelers reported using digital tilt sensors, wearable devices to monitor construction workers, automated bricklaying machines or other robots.
With 3D printing, lightweight molds are created, taken to construction sites and filled with concrete to add detail to a structure.
Meanwhile, 13% of single-family builders use prefabricated wall panels, and 9% each use dust-free masonry tools, other prefabricated components, and geo-fencing, a perimeter established digitally, for example to keep construction tasks within safe boundaries.
Most of these technologies are used less often by remodelers. Some of the technologies, such as prefabricated wall panels, are not relevant for all types of remodeling jobs.
But, 18% of remodelers report using dust-free masonry tools, which are twice the share for single-family builders and the highest percentage for any of the listed items outside of trusses.
