Construction Technology Shift Accelerates with Drones, 3D Printing and Data Centers

Boise, Idaho, September 6, 2025

News Summary

The construction sector is moving from pilots to routine use of advanced tools as drones, large-scale 3D printing and data‑center builds reshape jobsites. Drones and AI deliver georeferenced models, thermal inspections and automated volumetrics for progress tracking and safety. Gantry and robotic 3D printers cut stages, reduce waste and speed low‑rise and repeatable projects. Meanwhile, resilient data center construction demands tighter sequencing, redundant utilities and specialized MEP work. A major $15 billion semiconductor expansion in Boise, Idaho exemplifies how industrial-scale projects accelerate demand for technology, skilled crews and integrated site infrastructure.

Construction Technology Shift Accelerates: Drones, 3D Printing and Data Centers Reshape Jobsites

Key developments: State transportation agencies report widespread and routine use of drones for road and bridge work, major builders are scaling up 3D printing for low-rise and repeatable projects, and demand for resilient data center construction is driving new methods and requirements. In Idaho, a major chipmaker has launched a $15 billion expansion that will become the state’s largest-ever construction program and underscores how complex industrial projects are amplifying technology adoption on sites.

What’s happening now

The construction sector is moving quickly from experimentation to daily use of advanced tools. Drones and AI are now core parts of jobsite workflows, used for high-resolution imagery, mapping, automated analysis and real-time visual intelligence. At the same time, large-scale 3D printing systems are lowering costs and cycle times for walls, structural cores and facade elements. Parallel to these trends, developers of cloud and AI services are investing heavily in new data centers, requiring construction teams to adopt fault-tolerant, always-on design and tighter infrastructure planning.

Why the shift is happening

Projects are growing more complex and timetables are tighter, pushing contractors and owners to test technologies that increase efficiency, reduce rework, and support compliance and safety. Technology-driven outputs — georeferenced models, volumetric analyses, thermal scans and automated cut-and-fill calculations — enable faster decision-making and shorten approval cycles in owner‑architect‑contractor meetings.

Drone use on construction sites

Drones provide high-resolution aerial imagery and can be integrated with construction software to create georeferenced site models for measurements, volumes and distance checks. AI-assisted drone processing performs routine tasks such as stockpile monitoring, cut-and-fill analysis and structural alignment checks, reducing the need for repeated site visits. Drones also improve marketing and stakeholder communication by supplying compelling site overviews for ads, pitch decks, investor reports and client portals.

State transportation agencies are among the heaviest drone users. Roadwork, bridge repairs, railroad projects and stockpile monitoring are common applications. Some agencies fly drones daily when conditions permit and log thousands of flights annually. Many still rely on widely available models for routine work while adding LiDAR, thermal sensors and specialized software for advanced mapping and inspection tasks. Procurement rules and federal guidance about allowable manufacturers have created transition challenges for some agencies, prompting mitigation measures such as disconnecting devices from manufacturer cloud services and using disconnected processing systems.

Examples of practice

• Daily or weekly progress flights compare aerial captures to digital models to spot delays and issues early.
• Infrared-equipped drones detect thermal anomalies in mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and identify façade or roof problems that are hard to see on foot.
• Drones reduce exposure by remotely inspecting high-risk zones like tower cranes, shoring and demolition sites, and by documenting phases from site clearing to topping-off for audits and dispute resolution.

3D printing in construction

The global 3D construction printing market was small in 2023 but is projected to expand rapidly. Large gantry and robotic-arm systems extrude concrete or geopolymer materials directly from digital models to produce walls, cores and facades faster and with less waste than traditional methods. Benefits include fewer construction stages, reduced formwork and framing, near-elimination of material waste through optimized printing software, and suitability for rapid housing, emergency shelters and repetitive-layout projects such as schools or clinics.

Adoption is strongest in low-rise construction and in projects where labor constraints, disaster recovery or urgent shelter needs demand quick, repeatable outputs. Printing systems can significantly shorten timelines and simplify logistics through just-in-time material flow.

Data center construction pressures

Commercial construction activity is also focused on data centers, where uninterrupted uptime and concurrent maintainability drive design and build choices. Resilient facilities require diversified connectivity, layered perimeter security, backup power systems and complementary energy sources. Location decisions are influenced by fiber connectivity, power availability, safety and tax incentives. Large tech and cloud-service firms continue to invest in new campuses, spawning projects that demand specialized sequencing, utility work and high standards for mechanical and electrical systems.

Major industrial project in Idaho

A large semiconductor manufacturer has begun a $15 billion expansion in Boise that will add dozens of buildings, extensive infrastructure, and thousands of construction jobs. The project will use thousands of tons of steel, multiple concrete batch plants, a rock-crushing operation and on-site utilities — an example of how industrial-scale work accelerates demand for skilled crews, cranes and integrated site technologies.

Challenges and outlook

Barriers include procurement limits tied to manufacturer approvals, the cost of certified alternatives, and the need for training and governance to manage uncrewed aircraft and 3D equipment safely. Software compatibility and secure processing for geospatial data are also priorities as agencies look to protect sensitive infrastructure information. Despite these hurdles, builders are increasingly integrating drones, additive manufacturing and data‑center construction practices to improve efficiency, safety and transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are drones used on construction sites?

Drones capture high-resolution imagery and LiDAR data to create georeferenced models for measurements, volume checks, progress tracking, thermal inspections and remote safety monitoring. They reduce site visits and speed approvals.

What benefits does 3D printing bring to construction?

Large-scale 3D printing reduces formwork, shortens build timelines, minimizes material waste, and enables complex shapes without extra tooling. It is especially useful for low-rise, repetitive-layout, and emergency housing projects.

Why are data centers changing construction methods?

Data centers require high resilience and redundancy, pushing teams to adopt specialized electrical, mechanical and site-security solutions, and to plan utilities, connectivity and backup power with tighter tolerances.

Are state agencies facing problems moving away from certain drone manufacturers?

Yes. Procurement restrictions and federal guidance have complicated purchases for many agencies. Some have implemented mitigation steps while evaluating alternatives that meet capability and compliance needs.

What does the large industrial expansion in Idaho illustrate?

The expansion highlights the scale and complexity of modern industrial projects and how such projects drive demand for advanced construction methods, thousands of workers, heavy equipment and integrated on-site services.

Key Features Summary

Feature	Relevance / Impact	Examples / Notes
Drones & UAVs	Faster inspections, progress tracking, volumetrics, reduced risk exposure	High-resolution imagery, thermal scans, LiDAR; used daily by many state agencies
3D Construction Printing	Lower costs and timelines for repetitive and low-rise builds; reduced waste	Gantry and robotic-arm systems extruding concrete/geopolymer; rapid housing and prefabs
Data Center Construction	Requires resilience, redundancy and specialized utility planning	Designs for uptime, concurrent maintainability, backup power and diversified connectivity
Large Industrial Projects	Drive demand for skilled labor, heavy equipment and integrated site infrastructure	Multi-billion-dollar fab expansion with thousands of workers, cranes and on-site plants
Software & Analytics	Transforms sensor data into actionable insights for scheduling and procurement	Georeferenced models, e-tickets for crews, overlays with design models, cut-and-fill analyses

This report summarizes recent industry developments in construction technology, including site practices, market projections and operational challenges tied to procurement and data handling.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• Inside Unmanned Systems: Construction Drones for DOTs
• Wikipedia: Unmanned aerial vehicle
• BoiseDev: Micron Boise construction
• Google Search: Micron Boise construction
• Commercial UAV News: Mark L. Bathrick
• Google Scholar: construction drones
• Morning Ag Clips: Latest construction tech news
• Encyclopedia Britannica: construction technology
• LITE Online: See Boise through spectacular drone shots
• Google News: Boise drone construction