Technology

Construction Technology and Software Rundown: Mar. 26, 2021

Here's a rundown of the latest in construction technology and software.
By Marla McIntyre
March 21, 2021
Topics
Technology

COVID-19 Resources

Safe Site Check In’s new capabilities include Site Check Out that captures data for manpower logs and Check In history for reporting hours worked and assignments. New analytics reports include Daily Log Report with workers and hours worked for reconciling billings; Company Daily Log for a graphical view of visiting companies, number of visitors and hours worked; and Activity Daily Log with a graphical view of the number of visitors and hours worked by planned activity.

Products
JLG Industries’ multi-reverse camera system for SkyTrak® telehandlers has left- and right-side back-up cameras, rear back-up camera and a tri-view monitor. The compact back-up cameras mount to the back of the SkyTrak telehandler and provide a wide, 170° all-encompassing viewing angle behind the machine. The RVS-812N 120° ultra-wide viewing angle waterproof backup camera has 30 infrared illuminators for night vision.

Software & In the Cloud

EarthCam’s Control Center 8.7 has expanded API for custom partner and client integrations. The 360° VR Site Tour merges architectural plans with webcam, drone and immersive videography. Control Center 8.7 features integrations for management platforms such as Autodesk and Procore and API for partner integrations to facilitate customer interaction with their cameras and data. Solar Power AI solar analytics provide insights into solar performance from installation through the life of the system.

Hiber’s end-to-end IoT solution HiberHeavy, is a heavy equipment monitoring solution that provides data and analytics on vehicle locations, trips, idle times, maintenance and fuel consumption.

eTakeoff’s electronic takeoff technology, SnapAI, adds intelligence to vector PDF takeoff by predicting what the estimator will do next and enabling point, logical line and polyline selection for maximum flexibility.

Trimble® Siteworks SE Starter Edition entry-level construction surveying software checks grade, slope or alignment using a construction GNSS receiver. Contractors can determine their location on a project, see cut/fill values to a design surface or alignment, or visualize constructible models in 3D. Users can measure feature points, lines and areas, or navigate to points, lines and alignments and create PDF reports. In vehicle mode, users can capture high-accuracy measurements on steep slopes from a moving vehicle.

Autodesk’s just- released Autodesk Takeoff gives estimators the ability to visualize project scope with aggregated 2D and 3D takeoff and leverage aggregated quantities from plans and models and access up-to-date construction documents, drawings and models within Autodesk Docs in real time. Multiple estimators can simultaneously access the same project files to review and perform 2D and 3D takeoff. Autodesk Takeoff joins Autodesk Build and Autodesk BIM Collaborate as part of the Autodesk Construction Cloud unified platform.

Partnerships, Acquisitions & Integrations

RE2 Robotics received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office to develop a robotic system for the Outdoor Autonomous Manipulation of Photovoltaic Panels. Through the O-AMPP program, RE2 will apply its outdoor, autonomous robotic technology with state-of-the-art computer vision and machine-learning techniques to the solar construction industry. RE2’s mobile robotic arm capability supports the transfer, manipulation and placement of photovoltaic modules for solar field assembly. RE2 will partner with industry leaders, including The AES Corporation, Array Technologies, JLG Industries, Mortenson and Pratt Miller to provide the solar industry with robotic construction capabilities.

Buildertrend has acquired CoConstruct, a provider of construction project management software. The integrated, SaaS-enabled platform offers flexible project management, bookkeeping, supplies procurement, customer engagement and payments services. The cloud-based construction management software primarily serves the residential construction industry, but also serves the commercial construction.

Video & Cool Stuff

Trimble Dimensions Spotlight Series targets the aging U.S. infrastructure as industry experts share their thoughts on the role of advanced technology and processes in supporting informed, data-driven decisions and why smart technology is vital to revive the nation’s infrastructure and stimulate the economy. Episodes include “Unleashing the Power of Collaboration and Data for Digital Delivery,” “How We Will Write the Future of Infrastructure: Our Sputnik Moment” and “Digital Construction and an Evolving Workforce Lay the Foundation for Change.”

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.



Related stories

Technology
Thermal Imaging Technology Enhances Construction Efficiency and Safety
By Monica Martinez
Thermal imaging technology (aka infrared thermography) is heating up construction projects in all the right ways—including enhancing project management, safety protocols and building performance.
Technology
Employing Supporting Roles for Your IT Team
By Christian Burger
For construction businesses to be effective in selecting, managing and deploying technology—especially when the influence, intelligence and complexity of that technology is growing—they need a new approach to IT.
Technology
Integrating Software and Hardware Technology in the Field
By Bryan Williams
Field technology has advanced increasingly in recent years. Combing the advancing software with hardware in the field can significantly improver performance on the jobsite.

Follow us




Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Stay in the know with the latest industry news, technology and our weekly features. Get early access to any CE events and webinars.