Technology : IoT & A.I. News
Komatsu Smart Construction announces compatibility with suite of leading tilt rotator specialists

Komatsu Smart Construction announces compatibility with suite of leading tilt rotator specialists

Komatsu Europe has announced its 3D Machine Guidance system is now fully compatible with industry-leading tilt rotators brands, including Engcon, Steelwrist, Rototilt, and OilQuick. This milestone ensures that companies and their operators can achieve greater efficiency, precision, and versatility on the job site, regardless of their preferred tilt rotator brand.

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AECOM & Nodes & Links: Transforming Project Controls with AI

AECOM & Nodes & Links: Transforming Project Controls with AI

A New Era for Project Delivery For decades, AECOM, a Fortune 500 company, has led global infrastructure innovation, delivering complex projects in transportation, energy, water, and sustainability. As a trusted leader worldwide, AECOM tackles some of the world’s toughest challenges—on time, on budget, and with a growing focus on sustainability. 

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New AI-powered platform has the potential to cut 1.5 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions annually - equivalent to the entire annual emissions of Japan.

New AI-powered platform has the potential to cut 1.5 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions annually – equivalent to the entire annual emissions of Japan.

OptimiseAI’s ‘Predict’ Platform Cuts Building Energy Usage by 15%, using only a Meter Reading  OptimiseAI, an innovator in AI-driven energy management, today launches their Predict function: designed to be an accessible tool for any level of building owner, landlord or asset manager to optimise energy use, save money, and future-proof

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Revolutionising UK Construction: Online AI Training Launches February 2025

Revolutionising UK Construction: Online AI Training Launches February 2025

The UK construction sector is set to undergo a significant transformation with the launch of a specialised AI training programme. The AI Construction Training (ACT) modules offer free live sessions designed to equip professionals with the skills necessary to lead AI-driven initiatives, bridging the gap between technological innovation and practical

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Trimble Announces the SketchUp 0-60 Challenge Winners

Trimble Announces the SketchUp 0-60 Challenge Winners

Competition fosters innovation in AI and technology development to solve common pain points and drive the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry forward Trimble® (Nasdaq: TRMB) announced the winners of the SketchUp® 0-60 Challenge, an initiative created by Trimble SketchUp and Trimble Ventures to foster innovation and discover the next big idea that will transform how

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Bluesky hi-res imagery used in new AI tool for housing developers

Bluesky hi-res imagery used in new AI tool for housing developers

A pioneering PropTech startup aiming to address the UK’s housing crisis with an innovative AI-tool integrating Bluesky International’s high resolution aerial imagery, eyes significant growth with a rebrand and funding stream announced. Viability, formerly known as Hesti, launches at a critical time of rapid expansion for the UK’s house building

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Q-Bot joins Retrofit West as a “Trusted Professional”

Q-Bot joins Retrofit West as a “Trusted Professional”

Q-Bot’s floor insulation technology, installed by robots and using AI, will improve the energy efficiency and housing quality of 100,000 homes in the West of England Q-Bot is pleased to announce that it is now a Retrofit West Trusted Professional, joining a directory of high-quality retrofit service providers. This significant

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Latest Issue
Issue 327 : Apr 2025

Commercial : IoT & A.I. News

Komatsu Smart Construction announces compatibility with suite of leading tilt rotator specialists

Komatsu Smart Construction announces compatibility with suite of leading tilt rotator specialists

Komatsu Europe has announced its 3D Machine Guidance system is now fully compatible with industry-leading tilt rotators brands, including Engcon, Steelwrist, Rototilt, and OilQuick. This milestone ensures that companies and their operators can achieve greater efficiency, precision, and versatility on the job site, regardless of their preferred tilt rotator brand. Komatsu’s Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance provides real-time 2D and 3D guidance to enhance earthmoving precision, reduce rework, and optimize workflows. The system can be retrofitted on excavators ranging from 13 to 120 tons, including both Komatsu and non-Komatsu equipment. As an IoT solution within the Smart Construction suite, it collects as-built data, which is visualized in a 3D digital twin within the Smart Construction Dashboard. This provides actionable insights into project progress.  Additionally, it includes a free Remote license for the lifetime of the system, allowing seamless remote file transfers and troubleshooting. Finally, payload information is automatically reported to Smart Construction Fleet, improving operational tracking and machine productivity. “This advancement empowers operators to move materials with even greater speed and accuracy,” says Bart Vingerhoets, Senior Commercial Manager at Komatsu Smart Construction. “With over 80 percent of excavators in Northern Europe already equipped with tilt rotators as standard, we are committed to evolving our digital tools in line with market demands, ensuring our customers have access to the best technology available.” Previously, 3D Machine Guidance was only compatible with tilt buckets that swung left to right, however with this breakthrough update, excavator buckets can now rotate a full 360 degrees, unlocking unprecedented control and efficiency on-site. Krister Blomgren, CEO of Engcon, is pleased about the collaboration, recognizing the benefits it will bring to mutual customers. He said: “We are looking forward to seeing how our customers can benefit from the integration of our tilt rotators with Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance for a more efficient job site.” As technology continues to evolve, compatibility will play an increasingly pivotal role in the digital transformation of the industry, fostering innovation and accelerating the adoption of smart technology. Stefan Stockhaus, CEO of Steelwrist added: “With a tiltrotator on the excavator, the Komatsu customers get a massive efficiency improvement and even more so with the Smart Construction Machine Guidance system.” To find out more, please click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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AECOM & Nodes & Links: Transforming Project Controls with AI

AECOM & Nodes & Links: Transforming Project Controls with AI

A New Era for Project Delivery For decades, AECOM, a Fortune 500 company, has led global infrastructure innovation, delivering complex projects in transportation, energy, water, and sustainability. As a trusted leader worldwide, AECOM tackles some of the world’s toughest challenges—on time, on budget, and with a growing focus on sustainability.  Yet, like the entire infrastructure industry, AECOM has long faced a persistent challenge: decisions are only as good as the data available, and in project management, that data often arrives too late. Reports take weeks to compile and analyse, meaning project teams operate in a constant state of lag. By the time a project director gets an update, conditions on-site have likely already changed.  “We used to operate on monthly cycles, with lock weeks where data couldn’t move, and reports were already outdated by the time they were read.”  —Richard Newey, Head of Risk & Integrated Controls, AECOM  In an industry where delays cost millions and sustainability targets grow more ambitious, relying on outdated information is no longer an option. To solve this, AECOM partnered with Nodes & Links to revolutionise project insights, delivering real-time intelligence to clients.  While AECOM sought a partner to solve this challenge, Nodes & Links sought an industry leader to help drive real AI-powered change in project controls. AECOM was that partner.  “The future doesn’t just happen—you have to forcefully create it. AI in project management is only inevitable if we make it happen. We needed a partner delivering daily, guiding us on what’s needed to make AI genuinely useful to everyone.”  —Greg Lawton, CEO, Nodes & Links  With AECOM’s deep industry expertise and commitment to innovation, this partnership ensures Nodes & Links’ AI delivers real-world, actionable impact, helping teams make better, faster decisions when it matters most.  Why Are Traditional Project Controls Not Enough? The problem wasn’t just the data lag… It was the ripple effects that followed:  “With Nodes & Links, we are no longer making decisions on information that is four weeks or six weeks old.”  —Richard Newey, AECOM  Delays don’t just mean lost time; they waste opportunities. The ability to identify risks before they escalate and adjust strategy in real time separates high-performing projects from those struggling to keep up.  The Solution: AI-Powered Project Controls in Real Time AECOM turned to Nodes & Links to eliminate the delays in turning raw project data into actionable information. Instead of waiting weeks for reports, teams now have near-live project visibility, allowing faster, smarter decision-making.  “We’re now able to do things at a fraction of the speed we were five years ago—whether it’s analysing critical paths, sub-critical paths, or driving decision-making.”  —Richard Newey, AECOM  With AI handling the heavy lifting, AECOM’s project teams can now:  “AI and automation are transforming how we deliver projects. This technology isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about redefining how we approach decision-making.”   —Richard Newey, AECOM  But the biggest breakthrough came in an area where project teams have long struggled to integrate real-time insights: sustainability.  Beyond Cost & Time: Bringing Carbon into the Equation For decades, project teams have made decisions based on two primary constraints: cost and time. But what about carbon?  Traditionally, sustainability has been measured and reported on after the fact, making it nearly impossible to adjust course in real time. Now, Nodes & Links enables AECOM to track carbon impact live, alongside cost and schedule trade-offs, without extra effort from teams.  “For the first time in our industry, we’re not just talking about sustainability, we’re actively using data and AI to drive decision-making around carbon reduction.”   —Richard Newey, Head of Risk & Integrated Controls, AECOM  Nodes & Links’ AI seamlessly integrates carbon insights into existing project schedules, providing an instant view of a project’s carbon profile without requiring additional steps or inputs.  With carbon now embedded into project controls, teams can ask new, critical questions:  Carbon is no longer separate—it’s at the heart of project strategy.  “AECOM is transforming how clients manage carbon. Real-time AI-driven insights help them make sustainable decisions at the right time, not months too late. Partnering with Nodes & Links has made sustainability an actionable priority, not just a goal.”  –Nina Palmieri, Project Director, AECOM  A Partnership Establishing A New Standard for Project Controls The partnership between AECOM and Nodes & Links isn’t just about adopting AI, it’s about setting a new standard for how major infrastructure projects are managed.  “We can’t predict exactly what will happen on every project, but what we can do is ensure project teams have the right data at the right time to make the best possible decisions. AI allows us to do that at a scale and speed we’ve never seen before.”  – Richard Newey, Head of Risk & Integrated Controls, AECOM   The future of project controls is here.   And with AI at the core, it’s smarter, faster, and more sustainable than ever before.  Watch the announcement video here: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New AI-powered platform has the potential to cut 1.5 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions annually - equivalent to the entire annual emissions of Japan.

New AI-powered platform has the potential to cut 1.5 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions annually – equivalent to the entire annual emissions of Japan.

OptimiseAI’s ‘Predict’ Platform Cuts Building Energy Usage by 15%, using only a Meter Reading  OptimiseAI, an innovator in AI-driven energy management, today launches their Predict function: designed to be an accessible tool for any level of building owner, landlord or asset manager to optimise energy use, save money, and future-proof new or historic buildings.  The Predict tool is the first of its kind to draw on decades of research, data and human expertise, fused with artificial intelligence.  All Predict needs to create a comprehensive view of any building’s energy usage, is a meter reading, a postcode and basic building information, like the number of floors.  Predict can then create a digital twin of your building, which gives you visual insights into how your building most likely saves energy, and when. This allows users to have a rapid, real-time view of their portfolios and identify where the biggest savings can be made quickly and efficiently.  After being provided with this minimal information, Predict can provide a building or asset manager with energy reduction insights in under half an hour.  Buildings account for 28% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions (37% when including construction), which is more than the entire transportation sector, responsible for just over 21% of global CO₂ emissions.  If all buildings had smart meters and then utilised the analysis via Predict, buildings could see an average of 15% emissions reduction – with minimal capital cost incurred.  For the UK alone (where 66% of buildings have smart meters), using the Predict tool could save 6.7MtCOe per year.  The drive for smart meters adoption is crucial to achieving long term energy efficiency goals.  If all buildings across the globe were to install smart meters and utilise the Predict function to manager their energy usage, it could deliver 1.5 Gt CO₂e savings per year, equivalent to the entire annual emissions of Japan. Speaking on its potential, Nick Tune, Co-Founder of Optimise AI, said: “The data is clear—energy inefficiency is a massive yet solvable contributor to climate change. Current Building Management Systems are not fit for purpose: only 10% of buildings have them, and even then they don’t give effective results to help buildings reduce energy and carbon emissions.  “ The world cannot afford to wait for deep retrofits or expensive building replacements. With Predict, we’re giving asset owners and building managers an immediate, cost-effective tool to cut carbon, reduce energy costs, and stay ahead of tightening regulations.  “The potential of the technology is here, ready to be harnessed. With it, we’re offering a path to energy savings and reduced global carbon footprint that is accessible and easy to use: ready now, and for everyone. “ Energy prices are at record heights across the world. According to Government data, the UK has among the most expensive electricity in Europe. Smart energy planning will be essential to keeping buildings efficient and keeping costs down.  90% of UK buildings lack a Building Management System to help them understand, monitor and adapt their energy use. Even those who do, research suggests that asset managers find these systems overly complex or difficult to use.  Predict’s user-friendly interface is hardware agnostic and can be used with minimal input data – it works across fragmented systems and integrates seamlessly with existing smart meters.  By analysing historical and projected consumption, and drawing on years of human research and expertise, Predict can suggest the best energy tariffs, identify inefficiencies, project how much energy could be saved with certain interventions, saving both emissions and money.  Net Zero regulations for buildings are expected to become increasingly relevant in the coming years. Addressing energy efficiency in existing buildings was a key component of the Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget, as part of the UK’s strategy to reduce emissions by 87% compared to 1990 levels by 2040. This means UK businesses and landlords will need to ensure their properties meet new standards, and integrate smart energy usage into their future plans.  Through its digital twin technology, Predict can provide any level of building owner and asset manager a contextual understanding of their building’s energy usage. This allows them to save money, reduce emissions and begin to future-proof their buildings against upcoming Net Zero regulations.  This is especially useful for the UK’s historic building stock. The first of its kind to utilise and fuse AI and decades of human-led research, Predict can provide insights into how to reduce building emissions in listed buildings in the least invasive way possible.  Professor Yacine Rezgui, Co-Founder of Optimise AI, added: “Energy audits are outdated and expensive, yet 90% of UK buildings still lack a Building Management System. Predict changes that—offering a sophisticated AI-driven solution that provides immediate insights and long-term savings. This is how we make net zero achievable at scale.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Arbtech calls for an environmental ‘Data Hub’ to speed up the planning process

Arbtech calls for an environmental ‘Data Hub’ to speed up the planning process

By Robert Oates, CEO of leading UK ecology consultancy, Arbtech Having spent the last few weeks providing responses to the Government’s Planning Reform working paper ‘Development and Nature Recovery’ both in writing and in person at the House of Lords, one opportunity we keep pressing is the need for greater knowledge sharing and the exploitation of technology to drive decision quality. Any new measures to assist the process of simplifying the ecology workstream for developers to speed up housing delivery will depend heavily on the readiness of accurate data, and AI certainly has a part to play. Having worked with tens of thousands of developers around the UK for the past 20 years, we know that it’s not necessarily the requirement for ecological assessments that causes frustration, but rather the delays and uncertainty that often accompanies the processing of assessments once they have been submitted. In order for the right decisions to be made there has to be detailed baseline data across planning authorities so that the impacts of a particular development can be accurately assessed.  Presently, Ministers are claiming that bats and newts are “blockers” to development, but there is a lack of clarity on where that information is coming from. In the last five years there have been almost 2,000,000 planning applications made. That is a colossal amount of data, all in the public domain, that is completely untapped. This data could be used to help drive up the quality of decision making and speed up policy reform. By having a model with all the data linked to particular planning applications, a ‘super baseline’ could be created to understand the matrix of species and habitats within each LPA, using the best available evidence. At Arbtech, we have existing proprietary data (taken from 12,000 planning applications in 2024 alone) that could be made available to speed up the creation of the new super-baseline understanding for decision makers; an essential pre-requisite for any change, let alone radical reforms. This is where AI will be a game changer. For example, it could be mandated that all ecology reports contain a strictly formatted summary appendix that a machine learning tool could easily exploit the constant stream of fresh data as it is generated by the sector. This would greatly assist data collection. In fact, at Arbtech we are developing an AI application to translate all our data into actional insights for the public and private sectors in the hope that this will speed up the planning process and avoid preventable outcomes such as the irreversible decline of habitats and species. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Construction firms lay the foundations for ai future, research reveals

Construction firms lay the foundations for ai future, research reveals

Around half of construction professionals now use AI at work – and almost all of them say it’s been a force for good.  New research from The Access Group shows that 52% of construction professionals surveyed use the technology, which saves them, on average, just under three hours a week. Around 94% believe it has positively impacted their workplace, and 83% say it’s improved standards.  The Access Group surveyed employees in 12 industries and professions – and found that half use AI today. Tech professionals are leading the way at 74%, then HR at 68%, while those in the not-for-profit, and health and social care sectors ranked lowest at 29% and 30% respectively.  Construction sector employees cited reduced workloads as AI’s biggest benefit, followed by cost savings and improved productivity. Top five benefits of AI in construction: ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool, used by around 57% of respondents. Just over 65% also say generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, have helped to relieve stress or anxiety about their jobs.  Alex Boury, General Manager at Access Construction, part of The Access Group, said:  “Tools like ChatGPT can help speed up routine tasks like writing emails. But advanced tools, including construction-specific ERP systems, such as Access Coins, use AI and big-data processing to securely analyse huge amounts of data to help with cost forecasting, CVR and resource allocation. AI has the potential to be transformative to the sector, driving better decisions and providing insights to help companies build better across the sector.” However, the survey also uncovered a number of potentially worrying trends among construction professionals.  Around 41% admit they often use AI to complete tasks they were meant to do themselves, and 38% say they use the technology to get ahead in a way they wouldn’t tell their boss about. Over two-fifths (43%) also have concerns about data security, and 30% highlighted confidentiality.  Marko Perisic, Chief Product and Engineering Officer at The Access Group, said:  “AI has taken off in a way that few people could have imagined – but left unchecked it can lead to some employees using it irresponsibly. Sometimes this is down to lack of training about the potential security risks but, according to our survey, a high proportion use it covertly to do their job for them, which is unfair on their colleagues and customers.  “Construction teams need a vendor who offers the highest data protection standards. Our new AI experience, Access Evo, encourages employees to innovate, while giving them peace of mind that all information is stored in a secure and private environment and not used in other open source AI systems. Approved AI tools like these, underpinned by clear and regularly-updated policies and training, can help everyone to deliver a better standard of service, and get ahead in their careers without compromising company data.” The full research can be found here www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/evo/insights.  For more information about Access Evo, The Access Group’s new AI solution for businesses, visit www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/evo Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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UK’s AI Revolution: £200 Million a Day Fuels Industry Growth and Innovation

UK’s AI Revolution: £200 Million a Day Fuels Industry Growth and Innovation

The UK’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector is buzzing with momentum, attracting an impressive £200 million in private investment daily since the current government took office last summer. This infusion of more than £8.3 million per hour is driving the government’s ambitious Plan for Change to strengthen the economy’s foundations and position the UK as a global AI powerhouse. In just 48 hours following the publication of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the UK secured over £14 billion in investment and commitments for thousands of new jobs. This surge follows £25 billion in data centre investments unveiled at the Global Investment Summit earlier this year, pushing total AI-related investments to £39 billion over six months. Building the UK’s AI Future Global companies are flocking to support the UK’s AI vision. CoreWeave, a US-based cloud computing firm, is establishing its first UK data centres in Crawley and London Docklands. Using cutting-edge NVIDIA technology, CoreWeave is enhancing Britain’s compute capacity—an essential component of the government’s AI strategy. The company’s £1.75 billion investment will also include its European headquarters in London. Homegrown success stories are riding the wave too. London-based Synthesia, a leader in AI-generated video content, recently reached a valuation of $2.1 billion after a successful funding round. This new investment will support its ambitious expansion, solidifying its status as one of the UK’s top AI firms. A New Hub for Innovation To foster collaboration and innovation, Tech Nation, Merantix, and Onfido Founder Husayn Kassai are launching a dedicated AI Hub in London’s Farringdon. Opening next month, the hub will serve as a central meeting point for AI innovators, offering opportunities for partnerships and advancements in the field. Infrastructure Investment Boom The government’s focus on AI-friendly infrastructure has attracted commitments from major players: Boosting Jobs and Opportunities Global firms are doubling down on their UK presence. French AI leader Mistral has announced its first office outside France, located in London, with plans to double its UK workforce by 2025. Meanwhile, Kyndryl, the world’s largest IT infrastructure provider, is creating 1,000 AI-related jobs in Liverpool as part of a new tech hub initiative. A Unified Vision for Growth Prime Minister and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle have committed to harnessing AI to drive economic growth and improve living standards. The AI Opportunities Action Plan, authored by AI entrepreneur Matt Clifford, includes 50 strategic initiatives aimed at making the UK the top global destination for AI firms. “This week marks a new chapter—putting AI at the heart of our economic transformation,” said Peter Kyle. “With more than £14 billion in fresh investment and thousands of new jobs, it’s clear that the UK is becoming a magnet for AI innovation and growth.” The UK’s AI journey is just beginning, and with a laser focus on attracting investment, scaling businesses, and spreading opportunities across the nation, the future of AI in Britain looks brighter than ever. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Revolutionising UK Construction: Online AI Training Launches February 2025

Revolutionising UK Construction: Online AI Training Launches February 2025

The UK construction sector is set to undergo a significant transformation with the launch of a specialised AI training programme. The AI Construction Training (ACT) modules offer free live sessions designed to equip professionals with the skills necessary to lead AI-driven initiatives, bridging the gap between technological innovation and practical application within the industry.  The modules form part of the Innovate UK BridgeAI ‘AI in construction: Skills for the future’ Programme, which is being developed and implemented by Trilateral Research.  The Importance of AI in Construction  Facing challenges such as labour shortages, increasing project complexities, and sustainability demands, the construction industry can significantly benefit from artificial intelligence (AI). AI enhances efficiency, predicts risks, and supports sustainable practices, transforming how construction projects are designed and executed. This programme ensures SME managers are equipped to adopt AI effectively, enabling them to drive innovation and improve their organisations’ competitiveness.  About the Training Modules  ACT comprises four comprehensive modules, each addressing a key aspect of AI adoption and implementation in construction: Data and AI: Understanding the fundamentals | Attendees will gain a strong foundation in AI and data, exploring their transformative potential and relevance to the construction industry. AI business cases: Securing buy-in | Attendees will learn how to build compelling business cases for AI adoption, convincing stakeholders of its value and aligning with organisational goals. AI project management: Ensuring success | Attendees will discover strategies to manage AI projects effectively, from planning to execution, ensuring they deliver measurable results. Responsible AI: Establishing standards | Attendees will develop an understanding of the ethical and regulatory considerations for AI, establishing robust governance frameworks to ensure responsible implementation.  Programme Highlights  Expert Endorsements  “These modules are a timely and essential resource for SME managers looking to embrace the future of construction,” said Sara El-Hanfy, Head of AI & Machine Learning, Innovate UK. “By offering practical tools and knowledge, we aim to empower construction professionals to drive meaningful change through AI.”  Launch Details  The first cohort of ACT will run throughout February and March 2025, with registrations now open. The fully online format ensures accessibility for professionals across the UK, allowing participants to enhance their skills without disrupting their work commitments.  How to Register Spaces are limited to maintain a high-quality learning experience. For more information and to secure your place, visit https://aiconstructiontraining.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Trimble Announces the SketchUp 0-60 Challenge Winners

Trimble Announces the SketchUp 0-60 Challenge Winners

Competition fosters innovation in AI and technology development to solve common pain points and drive the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry forward Trimble® (Nasdaq: TRMB) announced the winners of the SketchUp® 0-60 Challenge, an initiative created by Trimble SketchUp and Trimble Ventures to foster innovation and discover the next big idea that will transform how architects, designers and project managers work. The 0-60 Challenge invited entrepreneurs, early-stage startups and developers to leverage SketchUp to develop transformative technology solutions that solve common industry pain points. Nine finalists selected from over 100 applicants were given an opportunity to collaborate with leading subject matter experts, innovators and technologists from within the global Trimble network to transform their ideas into reality. After a three-month development process, the finalists demoed their solutions for a live audience at 3D Basecamp at Dimensions, Trimble’s annual user conference. To learn more, visit: https://3dbasecamp.sketchup.com/en/SketchUp-0-60-Challenge-2024. “The ideas and solutions that came to light through the SketchUp 0-60 Challenge are nothing short of transformative,” said Christopher Cronin, VP & GM, architecture, design and education at Trimble SketchUp. “We created the challenge to stimulate creative problem solving, encourage collaboration and connection, and help turn ideas into solutions that will have a real-world impact on AEC workflows. Together with a talented third-party developer community, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and seeing how the integration of AI unlocks new levels of efficiency, interoperability and creative exploration for the SketchUp community.” The SketchUp 0-60 Challenge Winners are: First Place: ScaffPlan developed an extension that allows temporary works companies — builders of temporary structures required to enable the safe, efficient and permanent construction of a project — to create detailed drawings and documentation for scaffolding, formwork, propping and shoring projects in SketchUp. The solution solves the complex challenges temporary works companies face by optimizing material utilization and enabling precise delivery scheduling to reduce waste and delays. It also facilitates accurate on-site installation, compliance with stringent legal requirements, and thorough identification and mitigation of safety hazards. Second Place: To streamline the design to construction documentation workflow between SketchUp and Revit®, Skema‘s new integration addresses the need for greater interoperability between both solutions. The integration provides designers, developers, builders and owners a seamless way to leverage SketchUp’s early design capabilities to develop Building Information Models (BIM) more quickly for project delivery. This process reduces data loss and minimizes the need to re-model, allowing users to work more efficiently and confidently. Third Place: A plug-in from Spacely AI accelerates the process of creating high-quality renders of interiors by auto-populating 3D spaces with the appropriate entourage. The solution accelerates the time-consuming process of populating and rendering stylized 3D spaces, allowing interior designers to win more business, reduce costs and explore creativity. Amazon Web Services “Scaled Thought” Award: Extracting precise data from designs and manually labeling components is tedious and error-prone, often leading to incomplete or inaccurate data. Scene Intelligence, a SketchUp plugin created by Loci, uses state-of-the-art AI models to classify components in SketchUp to IFC 4 standard at the click of a button. Scene Intelligence makes it easy to filter and view critical elements such as furniture and structural components, and generate an accurate bill of materials in minutes, not hours. Judges selected the winners based on three product categories and against six different criteria to measure the efficacy of the proposals. First, second and third place winners received cash prizes and Loci will receive technical expertise in three complimentary workshops led by Solution Architects at Amazon Web Services. The innovation doesn’t end here — expect more from Trimble & SketchUp’s ongoing collaborations with the winners. All features are available to download and try on the SketchUp Extension Warehouse today. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Bluesky hi-res imagery used in new AI tool for housing developers

Bluesky hi-res imagery used in new AI tool for housing developers

A pioneering PropTech startup aiming to address the UK’s housing crisis with an innovative AI-tool integrating Bluesky International’s high resolution aerial imagery, eyes significant growth with a rebrand and funding stream announced. Viability, formerly known as Hesti, launches at a critical time of rapid expansion for the UK’s house building industry with the new Government’s recent announcement committing to the creation of 370,000 new homes each year. With a successful funding campaign now secured, Viability is looking to continue the rollout of its AI-platform which leverages cutting-edge technology, accurate property data and Bluesky’s geospatial data to deliver a SaaS platform, particularly aimed at SME home developers. To ensure quality and accuracy for their customers, Viability has turned to Bluesky for the supply of aerial imagery to be streamed via the platform. Henry Mayell, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Viability said: “We initially applied satellite imagery to the platform but quickly found that the quality wasn’t sufficient for our customer requirements. As a result of the feedback, we started testing aerial imagery from Bluesky which offered significant improvements in terms of image resolution and accuracy. “Our platform enables developers to assess a site’s potential, understand what constraints there could be, in order to build a picture of risk and run financial analysis. With significant investment at stake it is important they can make decisions based on accurate data.” Ralph Coleman, Chief Commercial Officer at Bluesky added: “Our aerial imagery offers the detail needed for developers to begin plotting optimal scheme designs for potential sites. We are supplying Viability with the imagery via our GeoStream service which launched last year. GeoStream is our new data-as-a-service offering which enables customers who need data from us on a regular basis to access it quickly and easily via an API.” Henry commented: “We are very impressed with the GeoStream service and, from a user perspective, it has proved simple to implement into our platform. It also allows us to clearly overlay Ordnance Survey and Land Registry data over aerial imagery.” The viability of potential sites is a key restricting factor to the housing industry meeting development targets. Regulations are increasing and becoming more complex so a full picture of a proposed site is essential. Viability has also incorporated Biodiversity Net Gain assessments into their platform. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Q-Bot joins Retrofit West as a “Trusted Professional”

Q-Bot joins Retrofit West as a “Trusted Professional”

Q-Bot’s floor insulation technology, installed by robots and using AI, will improve the energy efficiency and housing quality of 100,000 homes in the West of England Q-Bot is pleased to announce that it is now a Retrofit West Trusted Professional, joining a directory of high-quality retrofit service providers. This significant achievement underscores the company’s dedication to excellence in the retrofit industry, ensuring homeowners receive the best possible home retrofit experience. Retrofit West, funded by the West of England Combined Authority, is committed to connecting homeowners in the region with professionals who uphold the highest standards of skill, service, and product quality. As part of this trusted network, Q-Bot combines robotics and AI to install underfloor insulation with minimal disruption, while reducing energy bills. For many homes with suspended timber floors, there is no other practical solution to reduce heat loss, improve comfort, and tackle damp and mould risk.  Q-Bot’s insulation also improves the efficiency of heat pumps. Q-Bot is improving over 100 British homes every month, making them warmer, more comfortable, and more energy efficient. “Our inclusion in the Retrofit West Trusted Professionals directory is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering a superior level of floor insulation,” said Leigh Fairbrother, Q-bot’s Head of Commercial. “We are dedicated to maintaining high standards of workmanship and expertise, ensuring our clients – private homeowners, social housing landlords and private landlords – benefit from a reliable and effective retrofit solution.” Funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Retrofit West evaluates professionals on various criteria, including quality assurance, customer satisfaction, environmental responsibility, and ethical practices. By meeting these standards, Q-Bot demonstrates Retrofit’s West commitment to excellence and its dedication to enhancing the sustainability and energy efficiency of homes across the region. Head of Technical Services, George Pearson said “We are thrilled to have Q-Bot onboard. Underfloor insulation can be a disruptive and difficult measure to install but is one that significantly improves the comfort and energy efficiency of a home. Q-bot’s innovative approach is a great solution for homeowners.” “Homeowners looking for trusted retrofit services can now find us in the Retrofit West directory,” added Leigh Fairbrother. “We encourage anyone planning a retrofit project to explore our profile and see how we can help achieve their goals.” To learn more about our floor insulation technology and how we can assist with your retrofit project, visit our website www.q-bot.co Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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