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

Explore the Trendline➔

Construction Technology

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

By Construction Dive staff

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

3 reality capture tools that can monetize project data

Recording site conditions with laser scanners, drones and cameras allows firms to catch design mistakes in time, plan realistic task sequences and more.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 24, 2018

Tech Toys: parachutes for drones, internet-connected hardhats and more

BuildingConnected, PlanGrid and Viewpoint also rolled out new applications to streamline jobsite workflows.

By Construction Dive Editors • Oct. 24, 2018

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em: why con-tech integration is key

Oracle's Mike Sicilia discusses how tech's transformation of the industry can be accessible to all contractors, especially as individual solutions are increasingly integrated with overlapping tools.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 24, 2018

How construction robots can amplify workers' expertise

The industry’s best bet for initiating a productivity boom is to use robotics to support — not replace — workers, said Construction Robotics’ Scott Peters.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 24, 2018

Virgin Hyperloop One study finds Missouri route feasible

The company found that a connection between Missouri cities St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia would be commercially viable, safe and cheaper than driving.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 22, 2018

5 benefits of a digital quality control program

A digital quality program offers many benefits that can improve your QA/QC workflows and elevate your business as a whole.

Oct. 22, 2018

5 technologies boosting productivity on the jobsite

Here are the tech tools contractors say lead to smarter, more accurate work with fewer accidents and injuries.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 17, 2018

2 robots in tandem create 3D-printed building components

Singapore-based researchers developed robotic printers that can create a concrete structure without colliding, paving the way for larger-scale collaborative printing in the future.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 17, 2018

Robot dog coming to a construction site near you

Boston Dynamics says its SpotMini robot is a good fit for jobsites due to its ability to survey a project via an onboard camera, pick up objects and navigate around obstacles.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 17, 2018

Digital Deals: AECOM, Arrow foster digital transformation, InEight acquires AI scheduler

Plus, ArchiCAD paired with Solibri's Model Checker and Viewpoint added Prophix' corporate performance management software to its Strategic Partner program.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 17, 2018

Study: Managing costs tougher for firms than finding talent

Costs are a challenge for more construction industry companies than finding and retaining labor, according to a new survey, but the latter continues to sap budget dollars for technology and fleet upgrades.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 16, 2018

Drones, smartphones and tablets taking over jobsites, survey shows

A whopping 92% use smartphones and 57% employ drones, but contractors still struggle to pay for and implement new technologies, according to respondents of JBKnowledge's 2018 ConTech survey.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 10, 2018

AR, VR to drive efficiencies at every building phase

From increasing stakeholders' confidence to ensuring changes are error-free, the benefits of augmented and virtual reality will soon extend from design to operations stages, writes Microdesk CEO and principal Michael DeLacey.

By Michael DeLacey • Oct. 10, 2018

How smarter use of data can boost project quality, competitive advantage

Contractors using tools like BIM and reality capture to improve their work output have a competitive edge, said panelists at the Advancing Construction Quality conference last week.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 10, 2018