A look at the world of Construction Technology – by Arnie Gess, publisher of Construction Links Network.

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Technology is transforming every aspect of the construction industry, from design and planning to project management and execution. As new tools and techniques continue to emerge, it’s more important than ever for professionals in the field to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations. This blog series offers in-depth coverage of the most important developments in construction technology. Whether you’re interested in the latest software platforms, the newest building materials, or the cutting-edge research shaping the future of the industry, you’ll find it all here.

HCM TradeSeal, an innovative force in certified payroll compliance, launched AI-Assisted Technology, marking a paradigm shift in construction management. Integrating AI transforms project planning, execution, and maintenance, enhancing efficiency and safety. With this technology, construction clients can streamline union and prevailing wage management through HCM TradeSeal’s feature. Leveraging AI, the company automates wage rule creation, mitigating errors, and saving time. Precision and timeliness are crucial amid the industry’s dynamism, especially regarding wage compliance. Emphasizing the importance of technology post-DOL’s wage rule updates, HCM TradeSeal ensures accurate calculations, reducing human errors and guaranteeing compliance. CEO Steve Fentriss highlights their AI-driven solution’s proactive wage compliance approach.

Occupational hazards, especially in Korea’s construction sector, are escalating, noted as the sector with the highest accident and fatality rates in 2021. To counter this, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency adopted VR-based safety training. However, these methods lack adaptability and objective evaluation. To enhance engagement and evaluation, researchers, led by Assoc. Prof. Choongwan Koo from Incheon National University, proposed a pioneering machine learning approach. Utilizing real-time biometric responses (eye-tracking, EEG sensors) during VR training, they developed predictive models for learning performance. The study involved 30 construction workers, demonstrating that a simplified model relying on principal features outperformed complex ones. Dr. Koo highlights its potential for safety enhancement and calls for future research to consider diverse safety aspects. This research strides forward in individualized safety training in construction.

ToolWatch, a leader in construction operations solutions, recently acquired busybusy, a prominent time tracking software developer for construction and remote industries. This acquisition cements ToolWatch as the foremost comprehensive operations platform in construction, empowering customers to drive lean initiatives by capturing precise cost drivers like labor and equipment. Jay Martin, ToolWatch CEO, praised busybusy’s innovation in field-based time tracking, a fitting addition to ToolWatch’s suite. The move expands ToolWatch’s capabilities, aiming for safer, more efficient job sites by integrating workforce management. busybusy, established in 2010, offers GPS time tracking used in over 30 countries across various industries, providing real-time insights for improved job costing and management. CEO Isaac Barlow expressed optimism, stating the collaboration with ToolWatch will enhance their offerings and extend capabilities in job cost and billing. ToolWatch and busybusy’s joint venture aims to elevate customer support and streamline operations while Riverside Company, ToolWatch’s majority investor, fueled this strategic partnership.

Converge introduces Mix AI™, a predictive AI tool for construction that reduces concrete overdesign and embodied carbon emissions, aligning with low-carbon construction strategies. This innovation augments ConcreteDNA®, providing forecasts for concrete strength, temperature, and carbon footprint, using historical and future environmental data. CEO Raphael Scheps highlights AI’s role in decarbonizing challenging sectors like construction. Mix AI™ enables contractors to choose eco-friendly concrete mixes, reducing cement usage. Collaborating with Stanley Black & Decker, Converge expands Mix AI™’s impact, empowering customers with carbon-efficient choices. This technology aligns with Converge’s mission for sustainable construction. Moreover, Mix AI™ balances construction needs with sustainability, reducing costs, and accelerating project timelines. Converge’s strategic alliances aim to accelerate construction decarbonization globally through AI.

Bentley Systems triumphed in three categories at the 2023 Construction Computing Awards, determined by reader votes and expert judges. ProjectWise secured “Collaboration Product of the Year 2023,” facilitating efficient, collaborative, and sustainable infrastructure design through digital twins. SYNCHRO bagged “Construction Software Product of the Year 2023,” aiding 4D digital construction planning and data mobilization across the design lifecycle. Both are integral to Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, fostering collaboration and enhancing outcomes across the infrastructure lifecycle. Additionally, iLab, assisting in nuclear fusion electricity generation, secured the “AR/VR Project of the Year 2023” award. These accolades highlight Bentley’s innovative solutions for construction and their impact on decision-making and digital deliverables. Oliver Conze, Bentley Infrastructure Cloud’s Senior Vice President, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing how their 4D model-based workflows and immersive digital twins drive better planning and execution decisions in construction. To view all winners and details, visit the Construction Computing Awards website.

EllisDon’s groundbreaking EKO digital framework merges technology and sustainability, revolutionizing the industry by enhancing energy efficiency and curbing carbon emissions. Years of EllisDon’s expertise culminated in EKO, utilizing advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI to holistically analyze system performance across diverse assets. Notably, EKO empowers effective decarbonization planning and offers unmatched accessibility, analytics, and anomaly alerts, underscoring EllisDon’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Collaborating with partners like Cisco, EllisDon cements its position as a leader in sustainable infrastructure, highlighted by the EKO-driven net-zero energy building, showcasing its transformative impact on sustainability at Mohawk College. EKO’s role in developing a rooftop photovoltaic system for carbon-free energy underscores its pivotal contribution to energy efficiency and emission reduction. Embracing EKO, EllisDon continues to pioneer innovation and sustainability benchmarks in construction and building services.

The construction sector is undergoing a transformative wave, propelled by emerging technologies reshaping its operations. This revolution aims to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and safety within an industry historically resistant to change. Recognizing challenges like project delays and budget overruns, new digital tools like CAD, BIM, and 3D printing are revolutionizing the way construction projects are conceived and executed, enabling better decision-making, reducing waste, and improving precision. Drones, robotics, IoT, and machine learning are optimizing construction, addressing labor shortages, enhancing safety, and providing data-driven insights to streamline processes. These advancements aren’t just confined to construction but extend to maintenance and operations, revolutionizing facility management. Yet, challenges like cybersecurity, digital skills, and resistance to change persist, requiring proactive solutions. Integrating these technologies promises significant rewards by streamlining operations, cutting costs, and elevating safety standards, fostering a sustainable future despite initial complexities and hurdles.

SIS LLC, a Microsoft Solutions Partner specializing in ERP | CRM | BI solutions for Commercial Construction on Dynamics 365, announced Fessler & Bowman’s adoption of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and SIS Construct 365. The latter includes Project Cost Management, Advanced Labor, and a Procore Connector. Chosen over Viewpoint, the decision was influenced by SIS’s Procore interface and Dynamics 365’s modern cloud-based system. Fessler & Bowman anticipates a robust financial and project accounting platform, prioritizing interface capabilities, system flexibility, and Microsoft’s AI for future growth.

Scanifly’s latest offering, Scanifly Prelim, integrates various remote data sources into its preliminary design solution, catering to Contractors seeking cost-effective remote design tools. Featuring Scanifly3D’s capabilities, it allows rapid creation of PV layouts, production estimates, and shading analyses, ideal for Contractors streamlining multiple design tools onto one platform. Leveraging Nearmap’s aerial data and LiDAR from USGS, it refines designs, enhancing shading estimations, especially during dormant foliage seasons. By combining drone-based models with LiDAR, Scanifly boosts shading accuracy, reinforcing its acclaimed Viewshed technology. CEO Jason Steinberg highlights the platform’s comprehensiveness for solar projects, emphasizing its team’s industry expertise and dedication to advancing technology for better workmanship, safety, and efficiency.