Author: Peggy Smedley
I have long been saying if we want EVs (electric vehicles) to truly take off, then we need to build the infrastructure. Let’s dig a bit deeper into this topic by taking a historical look dating back more than a century. In January 1886, a patent was filed for a vehicle powered by a gas engine. Mercedes paints the picture of the patent—number 37435—which may be regarded as the birth certificate of the automobile. In July 1886, the newspapers reported on the first public outing of the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motor Car, model no. 1. Here was the challenge at…
Here at Connected World and Constructech, we have followed patent filings for years, and they often tell the tale of what the executives have in mind for the future of companies, brands, and technologies. Such is the case for Amazon that wants more eyes and ears into a home. The company has filed a patent for an autonomously motile device that may be controlled by speech received by a user device—which was published on February 16. Sounds a bit like Alexa, right? And we all know Amazon has claimed more than 100 million Alexa devices have been sold. Well, this…
From homes to buildings, green structures can make a big difference for our sustainable communities. They make our air cleaner, our land greener, and our homes healthier to live in. One of the key ways to track this is with the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. First, a little bit of background about this rating system. To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality. Projects go through a verification and review process…
With the rise of AI (artificial intelligence), many young workers are now considering a switch from white-collar jobs to blue-collar jobs—or at least that is the most result of a new survey, suggesting Gen Zers are now rethinking where they work. Perhaps this just might be a good opportunity for the construction industry to find the humans they so desperately need to get their projects completed! Intelligent.com has conducted a survey of 1,000 respondents between ages 16 and 26 in the United States. According to the numbers, roughly 48% of respondents plan to work in the white-collar field, 32% plan…
With MWC (Mobile World Congress), hosted by GSMA, kicking off next week in Barcelona, Spain, many are talking about how telecommunications is transforming. We all know the 5G revolution is here—and the feeds and speeds that come along with it are set to change the enterprise across many industries. In fact, CTIA suggests the wireless industry enables 4.5 million jobs and contributes roughly $825 billion each year to the American economy. With 5G, we will see the rise of new applications, with more capacity and lower latency. It also has the ability to provide increased speed in many industries. With…
Is the water from our faucet safe to drink? Maybe. It depends on your public water systems—and how closely they adhere to drinking water quality standards and regulations. Look no further than Flint, Mich., which had a water crisis on its hands back in 2014 after the drinking water was contaminated with lead. The biggest concern of drinking water with too much lead is that it can cause us to be vulnerable to serious health effects and disorders. In fact, we’ve all probably seen the 1993 movie inspired by Erin Brockovich—played by actress Julia Roberts—that highlights the water crisis in…
In the past year, I have had my own experiences with builders and trades, but it is always interesting to hear what is happening on other jobsites around the world—both large and small, commercial, and residential. That is why my interest was piqued when I saw a new report that digs into what is actually transpiring on construction jobsites. The report from Tel Aviv and London-based Buildots—The Numbers Behind Inefficient Construction Practices: A Data-Driven Report—uncovers the true inefficiencies that exist in the multi-trillion-dollar global construction industry. Uncovering the Data This report is unique in that the information was not gathered…
As I have always said, the transition to a carbon-neutral future requires everyone to come to the table to make a difference. We need consumers, businesses, government, academia, and more to recognize the challenges that lie before us and to come together to find solutions. One sector that will have a big role in helping us move to carbon-free energy is utilities. Utilities face interesting market conditions today. The regulatory environment can often either restrict or strongly encourage action to move forward. Still each utility has different priorities, business models, processes, and geographic considerations when moving forward to a carbon-neutral…
Most of us have been taught treat others like we would like to be treated. So, it goes without saying that when we encounter others, we need to respond in the same way we want to be treated if the experience was reversed, because we just never know who that person just might be. As a builder, how important is customer service? Are we running so fast and furious with limited staff that we are forgetting that very point and good customer service, people skills, and maybe just genuine southern hospitality will lead to more referrals, recommendations, and repeat business?…
An HOA (homeowner’s association) often helps maintain property values, has rules and regulations to deter nuisance activity, and provides access to other amenities. But is there a downside to an HOA? Do they often control everything, with no opportunity or control for the homeowner? Let’s start by addressing if as a homeowner you are unhappy with the action of the association, what recourse can you take? According to the state of South Carolina Dept. of Consumer Affairs, the first action a homeowner should take is to talk with the HOA board of directors and to attempt to use the democratic…