Author: Peggy Smedley

Here at Connected World, we have long talked about the advantages of industrial 3D printing in manufacturing. Now with sustainability also at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the opportunities are even more advantageous. But first, let’s look back to look forward, as I always like to do. As most of us know from experience, traditional desktop CAD (computer-aided design) and engineering software was developed for traditional manufacturing methods. This has required engineers to have access to an expensive, high-performance workstation in the office. In the past several years, we have seen the rise of 3D printing, which offers new opportunities…

Water costs are climbing, alongside other mounting utility costs. The heat of the summer has pointed a spotlight on concerns about our global water crisis. What can be done? New technology can use up to 40% less water, ultimately saving money on bills. In fact, one company suggests we can start printing our own water. Irrigreen says traditional sprinklers end up wasting tens of thousands of gallons of water each year, which is challenging among water shortages and rising rates. The company offers an all-digital irrigation system that delivers water precisely where you need it, when you need it, guided…

Funding came for our nation’s infrastructure in November 2021, with the passing of the IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), which aimed to grow the American economy while rebuilding infrastructure, creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, and building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient. What impact has the IIJA had in the past few years? Have we made any progress in terms of rebuilding our infrastructure and cities? What money has rolled out—and what funding can we access? These are the questions…

Summer is here, and many people are trying to determine how to save a little bit of money on their energy expenses. Technology has been helping homeowners for some time now. But now the good news is that we are seeing the rise of new technologies specifically in the home rental market. We are beginning to see two trends collide. For one, the number of people who continue to rent is on the rise, with some reports suggesting the renter population is up by 84% in the past decade. At the same time, the smart-home technology segment is also on…

As with any digital transformation, the objective should be to improve business value in some capacity. This could include heightening worker productivity, streamlining businesses process, creating greater efficiencies in the supply chain, or improving customer service, just to name a few. The ultimate goal would be to achieve greater profit margins. But does this always happen? That is the (multi)million-dollar question. Let’s look at one well-known example: Walmart. The technology giant is known for its one-stop shopping experience that often comes in at a lower price point than competitors. The company has an operation-driven strategy aimed at reducing expenses. It…

Resiliency is perhaps one of the greatest priorities of the builders of our time. The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information says 2022 tied for the third highest number of billion-dollar disasters in the United States. 2022 was also third highest in total costs, with a whopping cost of at least $165 billion. Both natural and manmade disasters are causing havoc, necessitating homes, buildings, and infrastructure that can stand the test of the elements. While the construction industry can’t completely stop the storm, so to speak, construction professionals can build infrastructure that is more sustainable and resilient. The ASCE (American…

We are in the midst of a blog series focused on our experiences in the Living Lab, which is a home that aims to leverage advanced products and systems to demonstrate and educate both industry and consumers alike. Last week, we took a look at the three big benefits of motorized shades. Today, let’s look at a home energy monitoring system. The residential sector accounts for about 21% of the total U.S. energy consumption, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Of the energy used in U.S. homes in 2015, 55% of it was used for heating and cooling. Water…

Sustainability is becoming a greater priority for many countries all around the world. For today’s blog, let’s look at the trends unfolding in Canada, and how technology and data can help meet sustainability goals anywhere. Jamie Dinsmore, energy and resources industry lead, Microsoft Canada, recently chatted with me about the state of energy and sustainability in Canada, saying Canada is rich in resources. I enjoyed this conversation very much, as it reminded me of my days in the oil and gas industry. “It is a resource-based economy,” he says. “It is a diverse mix of sources. We have the third…

Last week, I kicked of a blog series focused on our experiences in the Living Lab, a home that aims to leverage advanced products and systems from leading manufacturers and technology companies to demonstrate and educate both industry and consumers. Today, let’s look at the shades used in the home. First, a little bit of background about the shades that we chose for the project and the company that provides them. PowerShades was founded in 2017 to provide motorized shades to enhance the quality of life with products such as PoE (Power over Ethernet) shades. Some options, like PoE, require…

From urban sprawl, to aging infrastructure, to the rise of electrification, we are seeing increasing challenges for infrastructure professionals. Digital twin, metaverse, and BIM (building information modeling) have the potential to completely transform the way the construction industry does business—and we are seeing some big announcements and advancements that will make an impact. Consider the example of iTwin Activate. Bentley Systems has launched the 20-week codevelopment program to accelerate early-stage startups in infrastructure engineering software. The company engaged with many startups in the past couple years and saw the need for an organized way to support early-stage startups that were…