How industry drone leaders scaled their programs

Drone experts at Skanska USA and PCL Construction outline the steps their firms took from early adoption to enterprise expansion.

By Kathleen Brown • Dec. 5, 2018

Mitigate risk with construction site monitoring

Visual documentation and remote surveillance could be the key to reducing theft, vandalism and safety issues.  

Nov. 29, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Construction Technology

As construction technology continues to evolve, here’s what savvy contractors need to know.

By Construction Dive staff

Modern Materials: Memory steel, polymer uses CO2 to self-repair, and more

Other fresh innovations include concrete that is reinforced with natural fibers and 3D-printed cement that gets stronger as it cracks.

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 28, 2018

FAA regulatory delays hamper drone expansion

Rules allowing drones to fly beyond lines of sight and over people may be on hold until the Federal Aviation Administration finalizes airborne-identification requirements as late as 2022.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 28, 2018

Autodesk, PlanGrid execs: Acquisition will 'change con-tech landscape'

Top officials of the two firms talked to Construction Dive about the ways their new union will yield tangible results for end users.

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 28, 2018

Tech can tackle the risky business of construction, says PCL

PCL Construction employs BIM, 3D scanning and 3D printing to ensure that when something's put in place "it’s done well and done right at the beginning.”

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 26, 2018

Tech Toys: Autonomous drones that don't use GPS, refreshed crane lift planning software

Other new products include an application that can manage point clouds with a massive dataset and a production-scale 3D printing system.

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 21, 2018

Tech Toys: The latest drone, VR, robot, software upgrades for construction

These are some of the newest announcements in the world of technology tools that promise to save contractors time, money and labor on the jobsite and in the office.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 21, 2018

Autodesk to acquire PlanGrid for $875M

Two of the arguably biggest names in the space will merge next quarter in a promise to "completely change the construction technology landscape."

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 21, 2018

Using BIM to 'build it right' and blow past KPIs

Virtual design and construction experts from leading firms share strategies to get the training and buy-in that allows building information modeling to work its magic as a single source of truth on projects.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 20, 2018

Digital Deals: The latest M&A activity and integrations in construction technology

These construction tech firms marry their niche solutions with other technologies and provide more comprehensive and interoperable tools.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 20, 2018

Tech strategy requires a new type of construction worker

Construction firms are scaling up their strategies by tapping tech talent with deep expertise in the nuances of construction, an expert said.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 15, 2018

Autodesk CEO: Automation is the answer

In his keynote address at Autodesk University in Las Vegas last week, Andrew Anagnost touted the strength of automation in construction as a means of creating efficiencies and empowering certain human roles.

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 14, 2018

The 7 KPIs of construction, and how technology can measure them

Autodesk recently commissioned Dodge Data & Analytics to identify and quantify seven key performance indicators of construction to effectively measure and manage performance.

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 14, 2018

Digital Deals: Autodesk to bring 3D, VR/AR to CAD and international con-tech firms seal big funding rounds

Apart from big software moves, Dubai's WakeCap, maker of internet of things-connected hard hats, raised $1.6 million in seed funding — only to be topped by Norwegian BIM firm Imerso, which raised $2 million.

By Construction Dive Editors • Nov. 14, 2018

Being 'value generators' instead of 'order takers'

A contractor turned college professor told attendees of Procore's Groundbreak conference that they need to find solutions to customers' complex problems — even if they don't ask.

By Jean Dimeo • Nov. 14, 2018

Wieland chalks up productivity gains to paperless project

Not a sheet of paper can be found at the rural paper mill project where Wieland Construction and its subcontractors are managing progress entirely from mobile devices, shaving hours off the schedule every day.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 12, 2018

3 robots mechanizing construction sites, plus 3 to watch

When trying to keep up with robotic research and prototypes, it’s easy to short circuit, so here's a short list of some of the technologies already making a difference on jobsites, along with a few that promise to make their mark soon.

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 7, 2018

Drone tech provider PrecisionHawk acquires Uplift Data Partners

PrecisionHawk's acquisition of Clayco's drone-based inspection services subsidiary for an undisclosed amount marks its fifth buy this year.

By Laurie Cowin • Nov. 7, 2018

Tech Toys: Propeller, DJI partner on drones, Ditch Witch releases VR simulator

This round of product announcements also includes TrueLook's high-resolution jobsite camera and Trimble's mobile app for compact machine grade control.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 7, 2018

How 3D laser scanning can guarantee future business

By capturing existing site conditions, Brady Industries says it's prefabricating piping assemblies more accurately, installing systems more rapidly and eliminating surprises for customers.

By Kathleen Brown • Nov. 7, 2018

Digital Deals abound with integrations, new products and 3D printing breakthroughs

The first firm to receive a U.S. building permit for a 3D-printed home was backed by D.R. Horton, America’s biggest home builder, to kick off two weeks in which more than a dozen deals were signed. Here are the highlights.

By Joe Beeton • Oct. 31, 2018

Behind the lens: What drones do beyond images

Drone use in construction soared 239% last year, with firms realizing the tool not only can capture images and video, but also offer tremendous data-collecting capabilities.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 31, 2018

Implementing tech? Ask the questions Gilbane and DPR ask

Contractors should evaluate whether a product can expand its access to data and fundamentally improve processes for management down to end users, according to the two construction enterprises' tech champions. 

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 31, 2018

Prescient eyes 10M square feet, expansion to most 'NFL cities'

The firm — which uses robotics, BIM, lasers and other advanced manufacturing methods — has built or planned 9.8 million square feet of projects and is looking to expand its presence in major U.S. markets.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 31, 2018