Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
The future of roofing will likely not be exactly as we imagined it. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that 3D printing, self-healing materials, and smart roofing systems—three things we discussed in our last two articles—weren’t even on our roofing radar. By the end of your career, there will probably be technologies in use, or at least on the horizon, that we’re not even thinking about today.
Drones are a great example. It’s true, the first camera was attached to an unmanned aerial vehicle as early as 1896! But it wasn’t until 2006 that the FAA issued the first commercial drone permits, paving the way for broader applications such as roof inspections. Today, less than a decade after that first permit was granted, you can pick up a drone that includes a camera for less than $50. It’s not commonplace to use drones (admittedly, better drones than the $50 variety) for roof inspections to help assess damage, wear and tear, and provide visuals for more complete and accurate estimates and planning. Thanks to tech, we’re inspecting roofs without even leaving the ground.
So, what’s to come? Here are a couple of technologies that will no doubt change the way we roof. And soon.
Robotics
Robots are doing much more than starring in science fiction movies these days. More than 4.2 million industrial robots are operating in factories worldwide—a 10% increase over last year. Typically, robotics are well-suited for simple repeated tasks. This machinery handles the repetitive, menial aspects of production, allowing human workers to focus on the more complex tasks.
In the roofing industry, robotic technology is expected to play a role in many different capacities—sometimes functioning automatically and sometimes with human input. Certainly, robotic involvement in the manufacture of roofing materials will continue to increase. Robots will be leveraged to use high-powered imaging technology to carry out inspections on dangerous or hard-to-reach areas. Installation has even been targeted, with robotic systems in development that will, according to its developer, “be able to install shingles with greater speed and precision than human workers.”
Artificial Intelligence
Much more complicated and philosophically challenging, is Artificial Intelligence, or “AI.” This hot-button topic has its share of both proponents and opponents. And it’s easy to see why. We’ve all heard the horror stories, but we’ve all probably also benefited from AI in one way or another, even if we didn’t know it. Regardless of which side of the AI fence you are on, one thing is certain: it’s not going anywhere.
Drones, which we’ve already mentioned, are getting more capable by the day, thanks to AI. AI-powered drones can quickly and accurately scan roofs, identifying damage, estimating repair costs, and generating reports, reducing the need for risky manual inspections. AI image recognition is reason for this. AI algorithms can analyze images to identify shingle types, colors, and damage, enabling efficient material ordering and repair planning. Remote measurement is also an AI-driven capability used in drones, improving safety and saving time and labor costs.
One of AI’s greatest strengths is its ability to quickly and efficiently analyze data and then use those results to make predictions for improvement. Using AI-powered tools, roofers can now analyze previous projects and have the tool create helpful data reports. AI can pick up on patterns in those past jobs and use this information to make informed recommendations for your business. Maintenance, for example, is an opportunity area. AI’s predictive nature will allow the technology to map out a detailed timeline of optimal maintenance intervals. By switching from reactive to proactive maintenance, you can cultivate an ongoing revenue stream rather than waiting for roofs to become damaged before engaging in repairs. Using AI to identify potential roof issues long before they escalate into major problems will help keep customers happy, too.
Smart roofers will end up leaning on AI for better lead generation and more efficient customer service. AI-powered tools can help roofers identify and target potential customers, generating leads and streamlining the sales process. AI-powered chatbots can handle customer inquiries, schedule appointments, and provide information, improving customer satisfaction and efficiency. Even project management will benefit from AI. In fact, studies predict that about 80% of today’s project management functions will be run by AI by 2030.
The future isn’t coming. It’s here. And roofing will change forever because of it. Our advice? Get on board. Innovation has always driven our industry, and it always will. To learn about Marco, visit www.MarcoIndustries.com. To contact Marco directly, you can email or call 1-800-800-8590.
