Challenges and enablers for drone application in the construction industry

Abstract

Drones are employed for various applications such as inspections, surveying, mapping, and monitoring work progress. These application areas are core aspects of construction activities, thus, increasing drone adoption in the construction industry over the years. However, with the adoption of digital technologies comes factors that influence their use. This study determines the challenges and enablers of using drones in construction by reviewing existing literature and social media discussions. A total of 128 peer-reviewed articles and 460 tweets related to drone adoption in the construction industry were retrieved from the Scopus and Twitter databases, respectively. The data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively, and themes were developed. The results showed that drone adoption challenges are related to policy issues, safety concerns, and knowledge and awareness. In comparison, the enablers include efficiency and cost reduction. By identifying the factors influencing drone adoption, strategies can be developed to effectively provide construction organisations with the best opportunities to use drones for their construction processes.