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

Calling All Construction Tech Enthusiasts! Do you have the latest scoop in construction technology? Submit your news releases to us! Don’t miss the Tuesday deadline each week.

Welcome to the Construction Links Network’s weekly construction technology blog, your essential guide to the rapidly evolving world of construction tech! Every week, we delve into how technology is reshaping every facet of the construction industry, from innovative design and meticulous planning to efficient project management and on-site execution. This blog series is dedicated to bringing construction professionals the most current updates on emerging tools, techniques, and trends. From exploring the latest in software solutions to groundbreaking building materials and pioneering research, our blog is a comprehensive resource for anyone keen on the technological advancements driving the future of construction. Stay informed and ahead of the curve with our in-depth coverage of all things construction technology.

In Canada, a significant contract dispute over the renovation of the Daniel J. MacDonald building has emerged, spotlighting the evolving nature of public sector project bidding. The government is appealing a Canadian International Trade Tribunal ruling related to the project’s tender process, where digital “e-bonds” were a point of contention. This case, involving major firms like EllisDon and Pomerleau, underscores the challenges of integrating digital tools into traditional procurement practices and could have wide-ranging implications for future public contracts and digital bidding standards in the construction industry.

The abrupt closure of the CDAP program by Innovation Science and Economic Development, announced just before a long weekend and without prior warning, caught approved digital advisors, including The Net Effect (TNE), off-guard. TNE’s CEO, Tim O’Brien, expressed frustration over the lack of notice, highlighting the challenges of managing the sudden change and the potential impact on staffing. Despite the setback, TNE aims to retain its team, although other newer firms reliant on the program may not survive.

In 2023, OnsiteIQ solidified its role as a pioneering force in the real estate industry by significantly advancing its development intelligence platform. Transitioning from mere analytics to delivering actionable project insights across over 30,000 assets valued at more than $18 billion, the company has notably enhanced its service offerings. With expansion into 90 North American markets and the introduction of Co-pilot Progress Tracking using a 2.2 billion image database, OnsiteIQ has proven its platform’s scalability and commitment to timely project delivery.

GITAI USA Inc., in partnership with KDDI Corporation, achieved a significant advancement in lunar infrastructure technology by demonstrating its robotic capabilities in constructing a 5-meter-high communication tower on a simulated lunar surface. Utilizing its Lunar Rover and three Inchworm robots equipped with “grapple end-effectors,” GITAI showcased the robots’ autonomous construction, maintenance, and disassembly skills, highlighting their potential for sustainable lunar development.

Microsol Resources, a leading Bluebeam Platinum Partner and a recognized authority in building information modeling (BIM) solutions for the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries, has been awarded the Bluebeam New User Growth Award. This accolade was presented at the inaugural Global Partner Award ceremony, honoring Microsol Resources for achieving the highest percent increase in new users of Bluebeam software in the Americas during 2023. The company’s President, Emilio Krausz, accepted the award, attributing the success to their skilled team’s efforts in sales, technical support, marketing, and customer service.

Construction projects, notorious for their inevitable delays and cost overruns, are facing a transformative solution with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in the $1.7 trillion global construction materials sector. Forest Flager, CEO and co-founder of Parspec, emphasizes the cumbersome process of selecting the right products and materials for construction projects, a task that has traditionally involved manual comparison of design specifications against technical product documentation from numerous manufacturer websites. This process is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors, contributing to procurement costs in construction being nearly double those of other industries. Parspec aims to alleviate these challenges through an intelligent product selection platform, focusing initially on lighting and electrical components, where there are over 4 million different product families.

Planera, a provider of construction scheduling and planning solutions using the Critical Path Method (CPM), has announced its integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud®, enhancing project management efficiency and profitability. This collaboration allows project teams to build, analyze, and optimize construction schedules directly within Autodesk’s platforms, streamlining processes and facilitating simultaneous management of schedules and other project priorities. The integration aims to serve a wider audience of contractors, engineers, and architects by offering a user-friendly solution that enhances schedule quality, team alignment, and incorporates resource, scenario analysis, and risk management capabilities.

The “She Builds Nation” Report 2024 by Lumber, a construction workforce management platform, offers an in-depth look at the status of women in the construction industry, based on feedback from over 100 female construction owners, executives, and decision-makers. Highlighting significant challenges, the report reveals that 67% of respondents experience a lack of gender-friendly safety equipment, and 85% note the absence of maternity-specific gear, with 64% also reporting inadequate women’s restroom facilities at construction sites. Despite these hurdles, there’s a positive outlook with 72% recognizing increased opportunities for advancement, and 67% feeling that integration into the male-dominated field is relatively smooth, provided there’s an inclusive organizational culture. However, concerns about pay parity, support systems, and the retention of female talent are prevalent, with suggestions for targeted outreach, mentorship, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive training to enhance female representation and retention.

This blog emphasizes the transformative role of technology in enhancing efficiency within Canada’s residential construction industry. It outlines how advancements such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, and construction management software streamline project planning, execution, and monitoring processes. These technologies facilitate better communication, reduce errors and rework, and improve overall project management, leading to cost savings and timely project completion. The integration of technology in construction practices is presented as a crucial step towards addressing the industry’s productivity challenges.