The term Black Swan Event is a metaphor for something that is surprising and unexpected and has a major impact. Are drones a Black Swan for the construction industry? They certainly seem to be  having a major impact .

The MIT Technology Review calls drones "the new boss on the construction site". The initial investment costs for drones or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) has fallen and it is becoming clear that they can be invaluable to the construction industry.

Drones in the Construction Industry

Drones have some obvious advantages on the job site. In the time it takes you to walk around a large project, a drone can show you the entire work site from top to bottom and all the way through. A drone can deliver accurate measurements, assist with quality control inspections and share real-time video with contractors and clients. Progress can be checked and verified. Safety can be enhanced by careful monitoring without the need to put workers in precarious situations.

Rules for use are still developing

The FAA has clarified drone use over the past few years, but companies who want to use drones as part of their day-to-day operations would be smart to keep up with changes as they happen. The FAA has recently announced the release of an app for smartphones that lets users keep up with "current and upcoming requirements and restrictions" for civilian use of drones. In a recent story in The Pittsburg Post-Gazette , a drone industry expert noted that the use of drones has expanded so quickly that regulators are having a hard time keeping up. That means that as a business owner if you are using drones, you need to stay on top of changing regulations.

It looks like drones or UAVs are here to stay but, as with any new technology, there are likely to be some bumps and bruises before we settle into industry norms on use and benefits. We help contractors in Arizona navigate the business landscape. Contact us if you're looking for help with a new or expanding business. Or check out our website for more information.