Author: Constructech Editors
Sustainability starts with the right design, plan, and execution. A major focus is on carbon emissions and their impact on climate. Agencies and organizations worldwide are funding and doing research on ways to mitigate CO2 emissions from existing buildings and those under construction as well as those in the drawing stage. Major suppliers are joining such groups and investing in their research. Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, for example, supports the World Economic Forum in launching the Net-Zero Carbon Cities Building Value Framework, an investment framework for decarbonizing buildings. The purpose of the…
Major construction companies invest significant amounts of money, time, talent, and energy in providing their crews with the latest technology, both in the office and in the field. Understanding the importance of addressing all of the elements of the project in a holistic manner, many companies are including their subcontractors and trade partners in their technology plans. By investing in a blanket licensing agreement so that recurring partners are covered, collaboration is easier and the projects more productive. As an example, Touchplan, a collaborative construction planning technology platform, and The Boldt Co., entered into a definitive enterprise-wide agreement that provides…
Variations of the scuba diver’s motto, “Plan the dive and dive the plan,” have value in many activities. If you can plan it properly, you can anticipate what will happen at every stage of the project. With the ongoing digital transformation of most activities, planning projects with a computer is even easier. Cranes are complex, mechanically and functionally, so having a way to plan their operation in a lift is highly beneficial. For that, welcome Crane Planner 2.0 from Liebherr. Crane Planner 2.0 is the professional lift planning and visualization program for lifting work of all kinds. With the new version,…
New personal technology usually starts out focused on either helping people or entertaining them. Commercial and business applications have higher hopes, perhaps, but in the end, helping people—through companies, governments, and other enterprises—is still the goal. To better help their customers, developers often go the collaboration route, integrating with other segments of the industry to create an even greater value. Done right, the combination can be impressive, helping individuals, companies, and even governments. As people return to their normal activities as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, auto traffic is booming and, as usual, drivers are seeking places to park while cities,…
The accepted wisdom is that there would be no Las Vegas as we know it without the invention of air conditioning. And neon lights. It is also true that there would be no skyscrapers without the invention of the elevator. A five-flight walkup is bad enough without trying a 20-story high rise. But early elevators caused concerns about safety and the decades since those steam-powered lifts were installed in the 1800s have included many safety-related improvements. Rarely do we think about the modern elevators as anything but safe and secure. One reason for this is the dedication of elevator companies…
In construction, efficiency, quality, and safety typically come down to having the right data to make informed decisions. Enter technology, and data-driven services all influenced by the IoT (Internet of Things), and digital innovation. Such is the case for tool tracking in construction and the amazing transformation of services and solutions for the industry. In January, Hilti announced the launch of a new platform that reinvents how construction professionals work daily on jobsites. Nuron tackles health and safety challenges, while also giving contractors the data needed to manage their business more efficiently. Launching with more than 70 products, the battery…
They came, they spoke, they left. But did they accomplish anything? Ranking government members—presidents, prime ministers, finance and environment ministers, and agency heads—along with CEOs of major companies worldwide came to Scotland in November 2021 to discuss the future of the planet. Around 120 leaders came together in Glasgow at COP26, the twenty-sixth UN Climate Change Conference of Parties, launching two weeks of global negotiations to help determine, as the conference guide stated, “whether humanity can drive forward the urgent action needed to avoid catastrophic climate change. As the world experiences record temperatures and extreme weather is pushing the planet…
In construction companies there has been an explosion of “R” recently. From the early AR (augmented reality) to VR (virtual reality) to the latest, XR (extended reality). According to computer giant HP, XR—cross reality or extended reality—is a catchall term for several different but related technologies. It rolls together similar acronyms like VR, AR, and MR (mixed reality). MR has indeed become “a thing,” even in the construction field where technology is often considered a necessity—eventually. How can MR help contractors? Trimble, a staple in the industry, has an answer. Trimble is offering a mixed-reality solution for construction layout with the…
July 2021 earned the unenviable distinction as the world’s hottest month ever recorded, according to NOAA’s (National Centers for Environmental Information). July is typically the world’s warmest month of the year, but July 2021 outdid itself as the hottest July and hottest month ever recorded since records began 142 years ago. This new record adds to the disturbing and disruptive path that climate change has set for the globe. Heat—and cold—at extremes present a problem for those who work outdoors. While exterior construction is often postponed during the coldest days—most outside work can’t be done with the added layers of clothing…
A door is a door is a door isn’t true anymore. The industry has gone from plain to elegant to futuristic and is now solidly in the connected and smart realm. Connected as in online with the home WiFi and smart phone app, smart with built-in technology from major vendors of home automation and security. Masonite Intl Corp., a designer, manufacturer, marketer a,nd distributor of interior and exterior doors, has introduced the Masonite M-Pwr Smart Doors, the first residential exterior doors to integrate power, lights, a video doorbell, and a smart lock into the door system. Each door is connected to the house wiring…