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

Explore the Trendline➔

Construction Technology

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

By Construction Dive staff

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

Tech Toys: AECOM develops AI-powered tool, Cape drone platform unveils updates

Other announcements include an exoskeleton that reduces a worker's muscle fatigue and an app that creates legally binding video contracts.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 10, 2018

Utilize real-time data to improve project management

With the connected jobsite slowly becoming the norm, the importance of jobsite automation software continues to rise.  

Oct. 9, 2018

Digital Deals: Amazon backs prefab smart builder, Procore acquires BIManywhere

Plus, Guardhat secures $20 million in funding for its intelligent hardhat and PCL partners with Microsoft on a cloud-first construction management tool.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 3, 2018

9 drone providers join FAA low-altitude initiative

The Federal Aviation Administration now counts 14 industry partners that can fly in controlled airspace and receive approval to do so in seconds.

By Edwin Lopez • Oct. 3, 2018

Japanese researchers create humanoid bot that installs drywall independently

The robot, HRP-5P, can correct for slips, has numerous joints that flex to degrees people are unable to and is not deterred by limited fields of view.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 3, 2018

Artificial intelligence may aid tunnel boring machine operators

AI can recognize data patterns, which, if detected early, can be used to improve performance of these massive machines, according to a body of institutional and industry researchers.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 3, 2018

Suffolk Construction's 'reverse mentors' spur tech ideas on the jobsite

The general contractor explained how young blood share freshly acquired technology expertise with senior colleagues in exchange for management guidance in a two-way learning experience.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 3, 2018

Tech Toys: MIT, Autodesk roll out new tools, BIM software advances

InfraWorks rolled out updates, Vectorworks announced 2019 editions of its BIM and CAD software and facility managers can now give contractors and other stakeholders access to online insurance certificates.

By Construction Dive Editors • Sept. 26, 2018

Purdue steps up in construction robotics, automation

Researchers are developing algorithms that help computers automate the review of a building's design model, compare it with city and state building codes and flag any violations, for example.

By Laurie Cowin • Sept. 26, 2018

When con-tech is just an idle 'solution' looking for a problem

Construction companies should pinpoint specific challenges before selecting the appropriate technological response, a VP of Pepper Construction's virtual design and construction division explained.

By Laurie Cowin • Sept. 26, 2018

Increased need for data drives healthcare construction trends

To accommodate a shift to digital record-keeping and tech-driven care, healthcare contractors are expanding data centers, HVAC and electrical loads through prefabrication and other approaches, experts say. 

By Kathleen Brown • Sept. 26, 2018

Why a robot is MVP on a Hoar Construction project

Construction Robotics' semi-automated mason — SAM — laid 250,000 bricks on a recent project six times faster than a human worker could, project manager Bill Lampkin told Construction Dive.

By Kathleen Brown • Sept. 19, 2018

How to get an in-house drone program 'off the ground'

It can be daunting for a construction company, consultants said, but if contractors set out clear business strategies and safety protocols, narrow their focus and get other teams on board, there's promise of success.

By Kathleen Brown • Sept. 19, 2018

Digital Deals: DroneBase brings 4D to pilot network, Solibri boosts BIM experience, more

Plus, BuildingIQ makes new and existing buildings smarter, and software provider Bangert adds Acumatica's cloud-based ERP to its portfolio.

By Kathleen Brown • Sept. 19, 2018

Real results from virtual reality: safer jobsites

“The reality of the VR simulators is utterly awesome,” said Tim Whiteman of IPAF. "Two years ago no one was even thinking about the use of VR in training and now there is equipment ... that makes you feel as though you're in the machine."

By Laurie Cowin • Sept. 19, 2018

Picking from 2K+ con-tech startups like 'a kid in a candy shop'

Finding reliable products in the booming construction technology marketplace has contractors stretched thin, but the right partnerships could boost efficiency and offset the hassle, experts told Construction Dive.

By Kathleen Brown • Sept. 12, 2018

How Hensel Phelps maximizes its use of drones

The construction giant spent up to $20,000 per manned helicopter flight to capture aerial video of projects before tapping unmanned aerial vehicles to complete the same tasks and more at a fraction of the cost.

By Mike Danielak • Sept. 12, 2018

Tech Toys: Real physics guide dirt-moving simulator, cranes become autonomous and more

EarthCam enhanced its high-resolution live jobsite streaming and time-lapse offerings and IntSite is testing its artificial intelligence for crane operations in the field amid a round of venture capital backing.

By Construction Dive Editors • Sept. 12, 2018

Technology can ease the labor shortage, survey says

Not only can technology increase productivity and profitability, it also can attract talent and help retain younger workers, a recent Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk report showed.

By Laurie Cowin • Sept. 12, 2018

Data offers vision into construction equipment blind spots

Data about equipment rentals can be just as important to the bottom line as the equipment itself, but accessing it requires a breakdown of silos, Mark Bishop of United Rentals says.

By Mark Bishop • Sept. 5, 2018

How to center tech investments around ROI, ease of use

To successfully adopt a technology, contractors must strike the right balance between these and other priorities, according to authors of a recent report.

By Laurie Cowin • Sept. 5, 2018