Technology

  • Automated robot carries box in warehouse
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    imaginima via Getty Images
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    Workplace fatality rates have been stagnant for decades. Could robotics finally reduce them?

    Despite ongoing concerns about automation in the workplace, robotics focused on safety could also lead to the creation of new jobs, the National Safety Council said.

    By Carolyn Crist • June 1, 2023
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    Permission granted by Blach Construction
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    Executive Moves

    California contractor makes CFO, IT appointments

    The two new Blach Construction execs were hired from competitor Rudolph and Sletten and global tech giant Cisco Systems.

    By • June 1, 2023
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    recep-bg/E+ via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Construction Technology

    Construction technology continues to evolve even as the broader tech market hits a rough patch.

    By Construction Dive staff
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    Permission granted by Advanced Construction Robotics
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    Rebar-tying robot slashes time on Wisconsin bridge project

    The machine fastens reinforcing steel at a rate of over 1,100 bindings per hour.

    By • May 31, 2023
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    Courtesy of Swinerton
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    Project Milestones

    Swinerton tops out Charlotte mass timber project

    The firm's Timberlab subsidiary supplied cross-laminated beams and a prefabricated structural system.

    By • May 31, 2023
  • Two people in suits shake hands with with a white background and Korean text; Hyundai Motor Group logo in blue on left; black and red LG Energy Solution logo on right.
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    PR Newswire

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    LG Energy Solution, Hyundai to build $4.3B joint battery cell plant in Georgia

    The two South Korea-based companies will locate the facility near Hyundai’s upcoming EV campus.

    By Sara Samora • May 30, 2023
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    gorodenkoff/iStock via Getty Images
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    Broad campaign underway to access US critical infrastructure using small, home office devices

    A state-linked actor, Volt Typhoon, is attempting to gain a foothold across U.S. networks amid rising tensions in the Pacific, Microsoft and the Five Eyes authorities said.

    By David Jones • May 26, 2023
  • An image of an Enel solar panel production site.
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    Courtesy of Enel
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    Enel chooses Oklahoma as home of first US solar panel factory

    The $1 billion-plus factory will be located at the Tulsa Port of Inola, giving it easy access to rail and river transport.

    By Kate Magill • May 24, 2023
  • OpenAI's homepage, explaining ChatGPT, in pink font on a black screen.
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    Leon Neal/staff via Getty Images
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    Q&A // ConTech Conversations

    ConTech Conversations: Why ChatGPT wants contractors to try AI

    OpenAI’s much talked-about language model told Construction Dive that artificial intelligence is meant to collaborate with contractors, not rob workers of their jobs.

    By • May 24, 2023
  • Three construction workers are in the middle background, surrounded by work on a large construction site.
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    Drazen_ via Getty Images
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    Contech Funding

    Construction management software BuildOps raises $50M

    The company has drawn the attention of celebrity investors, including former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo and NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana.

    By • May 24, 2023
  • Rendering of the Applied Materials chip research and development facility in Silicon Valley
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    Courtesy of Applied Materials
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    Applied Materials plans $4B Silicon Valley chip research facility

    The Santa Clara, California-based semiconductor firm plans to invest up to $25 billion over 10 years, contingent on support from the $52.7 billion CHIPS Act.

    By • May 23, 2023
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    KanawatTH via Getty Images
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    A ‘tech hub’ in your city? Commerce Department launches application process for $500M in grants.

    The program will focus on key technology areas such as artificial intelligence and batteries. Its first phase will designate at least 20 tech hubs.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • May 17, 2023
  • A worker in safety gear looks on as a robot works on a wall. The robot is tall and orange.
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    Courtesy of Canvas
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    New construction technology releases: May 2023

    From digital twins to payments and robots, companies are innovating in the first half of the year.

    By • May 17, 2023
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    Jenn Goodman/Construction Dive
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    Earth movers, front-end loaders and robots take over the National Mall

    Heavy equipment manufacturers are displaying their machines in Washington, D.C., this week to demonstrate the $1 trillion construction industry’s economic might and shine a light on policy priorities.

    By , • May 16, 2023
  • A worker looks down at his tablet while on a construction site. He wears safety gear.
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    sculpies via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Will AI take your construction job? Only if you want it to.

    Construction pros say given the shortage of workers, the tech will enhance more positions than it replaces, but employment law issues remain.

    By Chris Wood • May 15, 2023
  • LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery cell, prismatic pack Li-Ion batteries supply manufacturing for electric vehicle (EV) concept, industrial energy storage car technology 3D rendering illustration
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    Black_Kira for iStock via Getty Images
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    Coulomb Solutions plans to build US battery pack factory

    The announcement follows LG Energy Solution’s $2.3 billion LFP battery facility in Queen Creek, Arizona, and Ford’s $3.5 billion factory for the same battery type in Marshall, Michigan. 

    By Sara Samora • May 15, 2023
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    Courtesy of KBS Builders
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    Project Wins

    Modular builder wins $2.2M Vermont school contract

    KBS is working with the Department of Energy’s Advanced Building Construction initiative to improve its units’ energy efficiency.

    By • May 15, 2023
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    Photo by Dan Powell via Butterknife

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    Sponsored by HammerTech

    Shawmut revolutionizes subcontractor management with HammerTech

    Shawmut taps HammerTech for next-gen subcontractor management: Uncover the groundbreaking strategy.

    May 15, 2023
  • Man controls autonomous mining truck using digital tablet
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    Scharfsinn86 via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Trimble

    Overcome these 3 obstacles to investing in autonomous work

    Three hesitations preventing investments in autonomous work according to a survey of construction, agriculture and mining leaders.

    May 15, 2023
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    NanoStockk via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Firmus

    How AI can increase bid accuracy and fight economic uncertainty

    AI platforms can analyze drawing sets, automatically identify design-related risks to improve decision-making.

    May 15, 2023
  • A photo capture of a Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plant, used to create a digital twin.
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    Courtesy of Navvis
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    Mercedes-Benz partners with NavVis on digital twins of factories

    The collaboration will allow the automaker to simulate new site layouts and production line changes.

    By Kate Magill • May 10, 2023
  • A group of people stand in a factory where they all smile behind a ribbon. One person in front holds scissors.
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    Courtesy of EquipmentShare
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    Contech Funding

    Contech continues funding tear

    From autonomous buildings to alternative materials, these firms raised money recently via equity and debt financing, despite economic headwinds.

    By • May 10, 2023
  • A woman with a safety vest in a hardhat looks at a tablet on a construction site. She is looking at it intently.
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    mihailomilovanovic via Getty Images
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    Workers give construction’s slow tech adoption a thumbs down

    In a survey of 10 sectors, workers ranked construction as “the least technologically competent” field, which stymies firms’ ability to recruit young talent.

    By • May 9, 2023
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    David Paul Morris / Stringer via Getty Images
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    Google breaks ground on 2 data centers in central Ohio

    The tech conglomerate announced plans to expand its footprint in the Buckeye State, bringing its total investment there to more than $2 billion.

    By • May 4, 2023
  • rendering of the Longview fusion energy plant
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    Permission granted by Fluor
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    Q&A

    Fluor tapped for laser fusion power plant

    Vice President Fred Hughes talks with Construction Dive about laser fusion technology and how to build complex energy projects.

    By • May 4, 2023
  • The White House in Washington, D.C.
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    TriggerPhoto via Getty Images
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    White House to scrutinize use of AI, worker tracking tools

    The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy said it will request information from the public regarding how such tools are used to “surveil, monitor, evaluate and manage” workers.

    By Kathryn Moody • May 3, 2023