For the building sector’s 2025 forecasts, Trimble now released 10 predictions. These predictions cover a range of technological trends, including those involving artificial intelligence ( AI ) and reality-based perception. Discover what these internal experts had to say about the upcoming year.
1. Equipment understanding and AI
AI and ML will be one of the biggest changes in 2025, according to 59 % of respondents to a recent Trimble study, and for good reason. It has and will continue to do so because of the numerous advantages it brings. From automating processes, to improving choice making, to increasing team performance, we expect AI/ML to continue to optimize the construction business, creating more effective, cost-effective, and safer construction projects. – Aviad Almagor, evil president of technical development, Trimble
2. Technology Integration/Interoperability
Contractors are still moving quickly to adopt new technology, but the solutions they choose do n’t always work well with other technology solutions in a tech stack. Thankfully, that is changing as more and more digital vendors adopt open API standards and create connected data environments, which allow for the exchange of data between systems. Due to the worth it offers today’s companies, Trimble and other providers of development technology have made a number of developments in this field. In reality, according to a new Trimble survey, 59 % of respondents predicted that tech inclusion would be one of their top priorities in 2025, and 25 % said it was one of the biggest problems they were already facing. – Chris Peppler, evil president of software and merchandise at Trimble
3. Precise Positioning
Although positioning efficiency may seem like a game to play in building technology, GNSS technology is evolving and improving even more in the most challenging environments ever. We anticipate that the construction sector, as well as all other sectors, will experience a rise in GNSS setting accuracy and customized solutions to meet various user requirements both in the upcoming month and into the future. In 2025, solar hurricanes are expected to wave, with widespread disruptions of television signals affecting the operations that rely on GNSS positioning perhaps in mid-latitude regions. This will also take on an additional importance. Companies who rely on GNSS if then consider their options in order to reduce downtime and productivity loss in 2025. – Elwyn McLachlan, sin president, legal options, Taylor
4. Data and the Mixed Fleet
The extended joint venture between Trimble and Caterpillar can also be expected to change the design sector as soon as the second quarter of 2025. Users of all equipment brands will be able to purchase and use technology more effectively thanks to this expanded partnership, which includes accelerated development and an increased distribution network. This makes it simpler for all equipment types and manufacturers to be a part of a single data ecosystem, as well as enabling better and more effective use of information for improved overall decision-making across mixed-fleet jobsites. The continued use of the ISO mixed-technology ships requirements eases data sharing across devices, and will continue to do so in the future. – Scott Crozier, evil president, legal structure, Trimble
5. Worksite Health
In 2025, the benefits of cutting-edge systems for jobsite security will become more apparent. Field-focused solutions – layout tools, light scanners, wireless mapping systems and drones – are becoming more affordable and flexible, with greatly simplified data administration capabilities. Advancement of software capabilities will enable the extraction of practical information from the fact capture data from these sensors, reducing the amount of time site crews spend actually capturing data and making it less necessary for employees to work on busy roads and jobsites. Facilities owners and state transportation departments may increasingly combine AI analysis, bright predicted data management, and reality capture sensors for strategic asset management. Because problems may become fixed before they become very expensive or dangerous, this powerful combination will make property management less expensive and safer for consumers. Drone usage will increase because it is the best way to assess buildings in a safe and effective way and to evaluate worksites for natural and environmental hazards before a project starts. The risk of an accident is reduced by knowing where heavy equipment, material movement, or structural instability are located. Additionally, releasing safety information and incident reports off of paper and into a digital format increases dissemination and helps reduce incidents. – Khrystyna Bezborodova, product manager- feature extraction, Trimble
6. Reality Capture
Reality capture has been a success for years, and improved building techniques will make it simpler for more people to enter the game. These tools will not only provide a precise picture of the construction process but also act as a single language, enabling anyone, anywhere, using any device to access and benefit from reality capture data. This includes enabling users to capture robust massive areas captured at scale using mobile mapping as well as scans and images directly from their phones and tablets. This common visual and data-driven narrative is crucial for coordinating everyone’s efforts toward a common goal, improving teamwork, reducing conflicts, and reducing miscommunications. – Nathan Patton, product marketing manager, field systems, Trimble
7. Labor Shortage
Although the labor shortage and difficulties that come with it are n’t new, we anticipate that the construction sector will continue to suffer in 2025. More than 54 % of Trimble customers identified the labor shortage as their greatest challenge in 2025, according to a recent survey of Trimble customers. We anticipate that technology providers will keep making new discoveries in order to address these difficulties, such as by making it easier to use their technology solutions to their full potential in order to make up for the lack of workers. Additionally, technology companies ‘ investments in learning labs, task automation, and simpler data analysis and decision-making will help to draw younger employees and help to address some of the labor issues contractors are facing. In 2025, automation will continue to advance, with more testing moving away from test centers to field trials. Task automation will continue to provide value and assist in reducing the current labor shortage. – Scott Crozier, vice president, civil construction, Trimble
8. Software/Hardware Subscription Services
Purchasing technology hardware, software and services using a subscription is one of the most important – and most popular – recent innovations in the construction industry. Adoption of subscriptions has increased over the past 18 months, and it has shown to be a successful strategy for contractors of all sizes to maximize both their budgets and their technology investments. In the upcoming year, we anticipate a maturation of subscription offerings, both in terms of subscription programs and features and in terms of adoption. – Elwyn McLachlan, vice president, civil solutions, Trimble
9. Robotics/Automation and Autonomous Machines
The safety and security of location data will continue to be a key driver for the future of construction, and robots, automation, and autonomous machines will continue to play a significant role. These solutions will add value through data collection and analysis that can be used to generate predictive insights and increase productivity in the future, in addition to providing advantages in the field. In 2025, autonomous machines will continue to move away from test sites and into field trials, continuing their steady advance. The more effective these self-contained technologies are, the more visibility businesses will have into daily operations, and the data that they have collected over time can help them make wiser decisions. – Nathan Patton, product marketing manager, field systems, Trimble
10. Architectural Design/Modeling
To win more work, architects and designers must create compelling visualizations that can be easily shared. The future of architectural design is shaped by AI, visualization, and collaboration tools, which are all of these things. These AI-enabled tools help creatives focus on making wise design decisions and exceeding expectations by creating proposals that clients will love. They also help automate tedious, time-consuming tasks. As architects become more adept at creating ideas or making iterations, we anticipate seeing an increase in their adoption of AI. More flexibility in where and how the AI tool uses or interprets the designers ‘ input will enable greater refinement and fewer pitfalls to use. The time it takes to reach success milestones in the design and construction process will also be shortened thanks to AI-enabled visualization tools. – Sumele Adelana, product marketing leader at Trimble
