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

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Discover the latest in construction innovation with Construction Links Network’s weekly Construction Technology Blog—your go-to source for insights on how tech is transforming the industry. Each week, we explore cutting-edge tools, software, materials, and trends shaping design, planning, project management, and on-site execution. Whether you’re a contractor, engineer, or industry leader, our blog delivers timely updates and expert perspectives to keep you informed and ahead in the fast-evolving world of construction technology.

Leading construction Quick Pay company Viva Capital has partnered with construction intelligence platform ProNovos to help general contractors (GCs) enhance cash flow and keep projects on schedule. Through the upcoming integration of Viva’s Quick Pay solution within the ProNovos platform, GCs will be able to instantly act on real-time financial insights by earmarking advance payments for subcontractors, who can opt-in for early funding. This collaboration addresses one of the industry’s biggest challenges—payment delays—by giving firms tools to accelerate project timelines, strengthen subcontractor relationships, and boost profitability. Leaders from Viva Capital and ProNovos emphasized how this seamless integration empowers construction firms to immediately act on financial data, transforming how contractors manage cash flow and capitalize on opportunities.

Surplus.net has launched a specialized service to help construction firms, contractors, and equipment rental companies across North America manage surplus assets efficiently. As project needs evolve, businesses often face the challenge of idle equipment and unused materials. Surplus.net offers an AI-powered platform where sellers can list surplus assets, receive fair market valuations, and choose between immediate bulk sales or gradual liquidation strategies. Categories handled include heavy equipment, concrete and asphalt machinery, earthmoving equipment, material handling gear, and facility supplies. With services including logistics coordination, buyer communication, and regulatory support, Surplus.net aims to streamline surplus sales, reduce holding costs, and maximize asset recovery for construction industry stakeholders.

As Canada embarks on an ambitious plan to double its annual housing output under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership, Vancouver-based UnlockLand is emerging as a transformative force in proptech. Developed by Meton.ai, UnlockLand uses AI, geospatial analysis, and machine learning to automate zoning, site evaluation, and development planning — tasks that typically take weeks, now completed in under 10 minutes. With pilot programs already identifying over 20,000 new housing units in British Columbia, the platform is rapidly expanding to Ontario, Quebec, and beyond. UnlockLand streamlines feasibility analysis, accelerates prefabricated housing adoption, and supports the federal Build Canada Homes initiative. Its integration with modular construction technologies enables faster, cost-effective development at scale, empowering municipalities, nonprofits, and private builders to seize opportunities created by zoning reform and the Housing Accelerator Fund. Positioned at the intersection of policy and execution, UnlockLand is revolutionizing how Canada builds — helping make affordable, sustainable housing a national reality.

Avolve, a leader in electronic plan review software, has launched the industry’s first fully integrated platform with Esri’s advanced geospatial technology, transforming how governments manage planning, construction, and community development. This breakthrough, facilitated by Esri Platinum Partner GEO Jobe, embeds a spatial viewer directly into Avolve’s ProjectDox and DigEplan platforms. By combining plan review with real-time GIS insights, users can visualize proposed developments within the context of existing infrastructure, analyze crucial data such as floodplains and utility access, and improve collaboration across departments and stakeholders. This integration enables state and local governments to make more informed, data-driven decisions, supporting efficient, sustainable community growth. The solution, set to debut in 2025, positions Avolve as the only provider offering a seamless GIS-enhanced plan review experience. Backed by decades of innovation and strategic partnerships, Avolve continues to lead the digital transformation of government workflows, empowering agencies to meet modern planning challenges with confidence.

RIC Robotics, the global leader in mobile 3D construction robotics, has announced Zyrex, the world’s first “Giantroid”—a 20-foot-tall, AI-powered construction robot set to debut a working prototype in early 2026. Purpose-built for heavy-duty and skilled tasks like welding, carpentry, 3D printing, and material handling, Zyrex is designed with 26 degrees of freedom, interchangeable tools, and advanced VLA (Vision-Language-Action) AI to operate safely and efficiently on dynamic job sites. Addressing the critical global labor shortage and high-risk construction environments, Zyrex offers a scalable, affordable solution with leasing options starting below $20,000 per month. Following RIC’s proven success with large-scale 3D printing robots for Walmart, Zyrex represents a major leap forward—moving beyond specialized automation to deliver general-purpose construction capabilities. The development will roll out in two phases: human-assisted AI model training and full autonomy, promising to redefine the future of construction with safer, faster, and more efficient project execution.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Omegarender continues to lead the global architectural visualization industry with its unmatched blend of photorealism, design innovation, and AI-enhanced storytelling. The studio brought over 444 projects to life in 2024 alone, delivering more than 3,155 high-impact 3D visuals for clients in 40+ countries, including top firms like Gensler, HOK, and Rockwell Group. Specializing in architectural rendering, VR/AR experiences, and cinematic 3D animation, Omegarender transforms unbuilt concepts into emotionally compelling visuals that communicate narrative and design intent with exceptional clarity. The company’s expansion into Dubai further strengthens its role in shaping real estate and architecture visualization across the Middle East, working with developers such as Emaar, NEOM, and Dar Global. As it enters its second decade, Omegarender remains committed to elevating the future of digital design—empowering architects, marketers, and developers to visualize tomorrow’s spaces with unprecedented detail and impact.

Planera, the leader in visual CPM-based construction scheduling, has announced its powerful scheduling platform is now available for iPad. This new feature bridges the long-standing gap between office-generated schedules and real-time field planning, enabling project team members, superintendents, and trade partners to actively contribute to pull planning and schedule updates directly from the job site. With Planera’s intuitive, visual interface and mobile accessibility, field teams can track progress, make timely updates, and create construction work packages accessible on the go. This collaborative and portable approach ensures schedules reflect actual site conditions and input from those doing the work—making them more accurate, trusted, and useful.

Field Materials, a construction tech startup leveraging AI to streamline material and equipment procurement, has raised $10.5 million in a Series A round, bringing total funding to nearly $19 million. Led by Navitas Capital, the round attracted backing from several notable investors. The platform uses proprietary large language models to automate the processing of vendor quotes, delivery slips, and invoices, integrating seamlessly with major construction accounting systems. This AI-driven approach slashes purchase order and invoice processing time by up to 90%, improving project margins and enabling volume pricing. Trusted by major contractors like Swinerton and Big-D, Field Materials currently supports over 4,500 projects, processes $360M in purchases annually, and operates across 27 states. Co-founded by AI and civil engineering PhDs from Stanford, the company plans to double its team and triple revenue in 2025.

CustomWeather, Inc. has launched a new online subscription service designed for weather-sensitive industries such as construction, energy, agriculture, outdoor venues, and marine operations. This user-friendly platform enables businesses to receive precise, location-specific weather reports and forecasts multiple times a day, tailored to exact coordinates or city names anywhere on Earth. Delivered via PDF by email or MMS (for U.S. customers), the forecasts help teams plan effectively, ensure worker safety, and optimize resource deployment. Subscribers can customize the timing and frequency of updates and choose between standard or marine-specific reports. “Our goal is to provide timely, accurate, and affordable weather data in a convenient format,” said Geoff Flint, CEO of CustomWeather. With 25 years of experience delivering premium weather services worldwide, CustomWeather now offers this new subscription model for quick and immediate access to essential weather intelligence.

KP Reddy Co. has launched the Integrated Owners Forum (IOF), a peer-to-peer group dedicated to empowering building owners to lead the adoption of emerging technologies across the construction lifecycle. While the AEC industry has embraced tools like BIM and AR/VR, owners often remain disconnected from their true benefits. The IOF addresses this gap by providing a collaborative space for owners to evaluate tech, apply research, and align stakeholders for better project outcomes. Founding member Mike Greening of Genentech emphasized IOF’s mission to create a more integrated, data-driven delivery model. Built around four pillars—peer dialogue, research insights, tech evaluation, and continuous exchange—IOF also brings together a team of senior research advisors from firms such as AECOM, Turner, and JLL to guide its initiatives. This AI-enabled, technology-forward forum aims to tackle industry inefficiencies, reduce cost overruns, and reshape how projects are delivered. The inaugural IOF meeting is scheduled for May 20 in Atlanta.

As Australia faces a severe housing crisis, a deeper issue is driving rising costs and limited availability: declining construction productivity. Despite a 25% increase in workers since 2013, output has dropped sharply—residential productivity has fallen 53% over 30 years, costing the economy AU$56 billion in lost output in 2022 alone. Innovative technologies like 3D concrete printing, robotics, AI, and off-site manufacturing offer promising solutions, but remain underutilized due to a lack of institutional support and slow adoption. The emerging ConTech sector—projected to grow from US$5.6 billion in 2025 to US$10.34 billion by 2030—presents new employment opportunities, but also demands a rethinking of construction education. Outdated curricula and limited training in critical thinking and entrepreneurship leave the workforce unprepared for a tech-driven future. To reverse declining productivity and address the housing shortage, Australia must not only invest in advanced technologies but also cultivate a new generation of construction professionals equipped to lead innovation. Without bold changes, the nation risks falling further behind global leaders in construction transformation.

Despite a long history of thriving without digital tools, the construction industry’s cautious approach to technology stems not from resistance to change but from decades of disappointing software solutions. Many platforms have overpromised and underdelivered, offering overly complex features that fail to align with real-world workflows. Poor usability, minimal field testing, and a lack of industry insight from developers have further eroded trust. However, with nearly half of construction firms adopting project information management systems and 94% planning to integrate AI, the tide is shifting. The global construction software market is set to grow at a 12.6% CAGR, reflecting rising demand for intuitive, effective tools. To succeed, software providers must embrace empathetic design: understanding users’ past frustrations, conducting real-world testing, and prioritizing flexibility, simplicity, and continuous feedback. Construction technology doesn’t need more bells and whistles—it needs tools built with users, not just for them. Only by designing around actual field conditions and engaging end-users in the development process can tech companies truly support digital transformation in construction.