Technology

Construction Technology and Software Rundown: Feb. 26, 2021

Here's a rundown of the latest in construction technology and software.
By Marla McIntyre
February 23, 2021
Topics
Technology

Products

Boston Dynamics expanded product line for its agile mobile robot Spot includes a self-charging Enterprise Spot, web-based remote operations software, Scout, and the Spot Arm. With these additions, Spot can perform autonomous, remote inspections and data collection, and manual tasks. Spot Arm operates through both semi-autonomous actions and telemanipulation. It can manually or semi-autonomously grasp, lift, carry, place and drag a wide variety of objects, manipulate objects with constrained movement and opens and closes valves, pull levers and turn handles and knobs in coordination with its body to open standard push and pull doors.

Software & In the Cloud

Trimble® Roadworks 3D Paving Control Platform for Asphalt Pavers automatic 3D screed control system directly references the design rather than a surface or stringline to minimize asphalt usage and reduce waste. With a touch-screen Trimble TD520 Display, Trimble Roadworks software features colorful graphics, natural interactions and gestures, and self-discovery features.

Autodesk BuildTM project and field management solution (part of Autodesk Construction Cloud) provides construction teams with a single solution for project management, quality, safety, cost and closeout by connecting data, workflows and teams. Autodesk Build unifies features from BIM 360 and PlanGrid to make information immediately available across the entire construction team. Teams can configure workflows to access to RFIs, submittals, meeting minutes and daily reports facilitate real-time collaboration between field and office; digitize and centralize document management; and configure and connect cost management and budget changes.

Oracle Construction Intelligence Cloud Service, a suite of AI and analytics applications for engineering and construction, uses machine learning to continually analyze project data managed in Oracle Construction and Engineering solutions to identify potential risks and inefficiencies. The first application in the suite, Oracle Construction Intelligence Cloud Advisor, provides predictive intelligence to improve decision-making. The application anticipates what may happen next. Its re-trainable machine learning models improve in accuracy over time as they learn from an organization’s experiences.

Partnerships, Acquisitions & Integrations

EigenRisk® and the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, a provider of real-time data and analysis on political violence and protest around the world, have partnered to make global political violence alerts available through the EigenPrism® catastrophe risk management platform to insurers, brokers and risk managers. The alerts cover reported incidents of political violence and protests, including battles, explosions, incidents of remote violence, violence against civilians, riots, protests and non-violent strategic developments. Alerts can be customized by timing, proximity zone, fatalities, event type or impacted values.

Stellar Services, a capital project management software solutions company, is partnering with theAsite Ecosystem to build relationships with construction and engineering organizations. Stellar Services provides IT infrastructure and project and business management solutions to E&C, energy, utilities, transportation and government. Asite’s open construction platform enables stakeholders on capital projects to plan, design and build with seamless information sharing across the entire supply chain.

Mott MacDonald and Igloo Vision have partnered on a 360° shared immersive space based on the Moata Rehearsive VR technology platform. The Moata Rehearsive Igloo experience allows groups to get inside the virtual models, collaborating in person for a new dimension of immersive technology in construction. Moata Rehearsive integrates with 3D models, BIM information and photogrammetry meshes with native integration with Revit, OBJ and FBX. Users can explore and rehearse construction sequences, improving methodologies and time estimates.

Video & Cool Stuff

Reality series Down to Earth depicts real surveyors collecting data and turning it into deliverables, despite challenging conditions, rugged terrain and other dangers. “The Great Pit” takes viewers on an exciting journey alongside Swedish engineering and surveying firm SWECO. Using drone surveying equipment from Microdrones, they survey and map the historic Falun Mine in Sweden, once the world’s largest copper producer, to identify movement or settlements that could lead to a collapse. Watch on Microdrones’ YouTube Channel or mdTV.

by Marla McIntyre

Marla McIntyre is a digital editor of CE This Week and ConstructionExec.com. She edited Construction Executive’s Tech Trends and Risk Management eNewsletters and is the author of more than 200 articles and publications, including Construction Executive’s annual technology predictions, Technology & Software Rundown column and an award-winning series for the Risk Management Association. Her extensive construction and risk management background includes stints as executive director the Surety Information Office and American Subcontractors Association of Metro Washington.



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