Technology : IoT & A.I. News
AI or smart technology - what’s the difference?

AI or smart technology – what’s the difference?

In the construction and earthmoving industries, smart technology and artificial intelligence (AI) play crucial roles across site management, but what differentiates the disciplines? Bart Vingerhoets, Senior Commercial Manager at Komatsu Smart Construction, offers his insight on the benefits and challenges of both disciplines, where to consider applying technology on site and how these innovations

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Nemetschek Group Joins Forces with Google Cloud to Accelerate Innovations and Global Reach

Nemetschek Group Joins Forces with Google Cloud to Accelerate Innovations and Global Reach

Partnership aims to position Nemetschek as an AI-first industry leader, drive market expansion and enhance sustainability. The Nemetschek Group, a global leader in digital solutions for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AEC/O) and media industries, today announced a major partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate AI-driven innovation, expand into

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Taylor Woodrow takes the UK’s first autonomous excavator to site

Taylor Woodrow takes the UK’s first autonomous excavator to site

Taylor Woodrow, building on its long civil engineering heritage, is pioneering artificial intelligence technology in the plant sector following a full site-based trial of the UK’s first autonomous excavators. At the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield a dedicated demonstration site was set up so that the Taylor Woodrow

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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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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Commercial : IoT & A.I. News

AI or smart technology - what’s the difference?

AI or smart technology – what’s the difference?

In the construction and earthmoving industries, smart technology and artificial intelligence (AI) play crucial roles across site management, but what differentiates the disciplines? Bart Vingerhoets, Senior Commercial Manager at Komatsu Smart Construction, offers his insight on the benefits and challenges of both disciplines, where to consider applying technology on site and how these innovations are transforming multiple sectors. The role of smart technology Smart technology is transforming how construction projects are planned, managed, and executed. From drones and wearables to advanced sensors, these tools give teams greater control and visibility on the ground. In both construction and earthmoving, smart systems support each stage of a project.  Technology such as sensors on site structures have the ability to monitor conditions remotely, flag safety concerns early and track material use as work progresses. By monitoring multiple stages of a construction site, managers are enabled to work proactively instead of reactively –  reducing errors, improving quality and avoiding unnecessary re-work.  At its core, smart technology helps teams work more efficiently, make better decisions, and deliver stronger project outcomes. For example, Komatsu’s Smart Construction Dashboard creates a digital version of the job site, showing live data on materials, measurements and potential issues.  These features eliminate the possibility of over-digging, and incorrect material movement to reduce the amount of time required on site. Teams can respond quickly, solve problems as they arise, and maintain progress without unnecessary delays.  Incorporating AI technology in earthmoving and construction  AI is considered a ‘concept’ and is most commonly associated with autonomous equipment, giving machines the perceived ability to learn, problem solve and automate the earthmoving process based on machine learning.  In 2025, AI technology across European construction sites is in play, but not with the type of equipment many customers expect. An example of AI in the field is via Smart Construction’s Edge product, a hardware solution that advances the process of drone surveying by lowering technical complexity.  The tool uses a custom-built AI algorithm to automatically remove buildings, equipment and vegetation from the 3D point cloud it processes from the drone footage, delivering a clear, accurate, 3D representation of the site.  When uploaded to Smart Construction Dashboard, the user is provided a direct way of calculating job site progress quickly and identifying any challenges from a birds-eye-view perspective. Adopting smart technology and AI  In 2025 and beyond, we can expect the adoption of smart technology and the use of AI on construction sites to continue to rise as more cost effective options hit the market. In fact, the global AI in construction market was estimated at £1.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach £9.1 billion by 20301.  The digitalisation across earthmoving and construction is making notable strides in line with the increased adoption of technology. Komatsu Smart Construction recently announced that its Remote solution will now be available as a standard with all purchases of Komatsu-branded guidance and control systems, recognising the brand’s ongoing efforts to prioritise interoperability and ease of digital transformation. For more information on smart technologies, please visit smartconstruction.io Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Reds10 unveils next generation of leadership to drive £500m growth strategy and turbo charge its technology business

Reds10 unveils next generation of leadership to drive £500m growth strategy and turbo charge its technology business

Reds10, a leader in industrialised construction, has unveiled a new senior leadership structure to drive the next phase of its ambitious growth strategy, targeting £500m in turnover and accelerating the integration of advanced technologies across the business. At the heart of this evolution is the promotion of three senior leaders, Phil Cook, Joe Shepherd and Ryan Geldard to Managing Directors of their respective divisions. Together they will lead the delivery of Reds10’s strategy to revolutionise construction across Defence, Public Sector and Offsite Manufacture. They will be supported by a strong and experienced leadership team. Scott Laird takes on the newly created role of AI & Technical Director, while Uthira Balachandar continues in her role as Design Director. David Newey and James Bateman remain in their positions as Construction Directors, and Stephanie Mehra continues as Finance Director. This blend of newly promoted and established leaders will drive Reds10’s mission to industrialise construction, embed AI across its operations, and deliver exceptional value to clients. As part of the changes, Chief Executive Matt Bennion will assume a new role at Reds10’s sister company, Thrive-AI after six years in his current role. Matt will focus on accelerating growth at the smart building technology business. Thrive-AI applies machine learning to help clients operate their buildings more efficiently, improve user experience, reduce energy consumption, save money, eliminate redundancy in design and optimise the lifespan of critical assets. Founder and Chairman, Paul Ruddick will assume day to day leadership of the Reds10 business, working closely with the leadership team to scale operations and deepen Reds10’s technological capabilities. Paul Ruddick, Reds10 Founder and Chairman said: ““Following four years of strong growth, we are moving to the next phase of our strategy focused on advancing technologies to fully industrialise our design, production and construction processes and integrate AI across the business. As part of our plan, Matt Bennion is taking on the leadership of Thrive-AI to accelerate its development and growth, while a new generation of leaders takes the helm at Reds10. We thank Matt for his outstanding contribution to date, and we are excited to move forward on our mission to modernise construction, driving up productivity, quality, and sustainability and delivering exceptional value to clients.” Matt Bennion, Reds10 Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to be able to hand the baton on to the new leadership team.It has been a huge privilege to have worked with them and led such a talented Reds10 team over the past six years. These promotions put Reds10 on a firm footing for the next stage of its development and allow me to hand over my CEO responsibilities, safe in the knowledge that the business will continue to go from strength to strength. I’m excited to be spending more time developing and growing our sister company Thrive-AI, our intelligent building platform that puts end users, operators and asset owners in control of their building, carbon footprint and operating costs. It’s a great business and gives Thrive-AI and Reds10 the opportunity to transform the use and operation of buildings for our customers.” The changes come after Reds10 announced its fourth consecutive year of growth for the year ended 31 March 2024, with revenue rising by 70% YoY to £142.5m. Reds10 designs and builds high-quality sustainable buildings for the public sector, with a particular focus on defence, education, health, justice, accommodation and social housing.   The business has a secured pipeline of over £300m of work and turnover is forecast to rise to £160m in the current financial year. Most recently, Reds10 was named by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) as one of five construction companies appointed to a new alliance to build Single Living Accommodation (SLA) for the Armed Forces.  Reds10 has set out an ambitious plan to grow its revenue and is targeting an expansion into the healthcare sector, as well as the affordable housing and temporary accommodation sectors, providing high quality sustainable homes for local authorities to help them tackle the housing crisis in their communities. Reds10 manufactures all its buildings off-site and its advancing construction facility in Driffield, East Yorkshire, where it has five factories totalling 300,000 sq ft with the current capacity to produce 4,000 units per year. Following a process of industrialisation this capacity will increase to production of 12,000 units per year.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Mega Data Campus Set to Transform Lincolnshire into AI Infrastructure Powerhouse

Mega Data Campus Set to Transform Lincolnshire into AI Infrastructure Powerhouse

A bold new proposal for what would be the UK’s largest data centre development has emerged, with plans submitted for a £7.6 billion hyperscale AI campus in North Lincolnshire. Located at the former RAF Elsham Wolds airfield near Scunthorpe, the ambitious Elsham Tech Park project would span 176 hectares and deliver over 1.5 million square metres of data centre floorspace. The masterplan includes 15 high-capacity data halls, a major new energy centre, and supporting infrastructure designed to position Lincolnshire at the forefront of the UK’s digital and AI revolution. The development, led by Elsham Tech Park Ltd, seeks to support an IT load of 1,000MW—one of the highest targets ever proposed for a UK-based digital campus. It is designed to serve the exponential growth in demand for artificial intelligence processing, cloud computing, and high-volume data storage. Alongside the tech infrastructure, the campus is also being pitched as a green energy innovation hub. Plans include an on-site energy centre capable of generating up to 49.9MW, a large-scale battery storage compound, substations, a district heating facility, and flexible commercial space. A particularly novel element is the integration of heat reuse: surplus heat from server operations could be redirected to energy-intensive greenhouse agriculture, creating year-round food production opportunities and circular energy efficiencies. The proposed site would include new spine roads linking the 15 data zones, each capable of standalone delivery, offering flexibility in construction sequencing and operational rollout. Access would be via a primary route from the Flarepath industrial estate. Buildings are planned to range from 7 to 23 metres in height and would be visually softened by bunds up to 10 metres high and new woodland planting to help the project blend with the surrounding landscape. Construction is expected to span a 10-year period, creating between 2,600 and 3,600 full-time equivalent jobs annually across on-site and off-site activity. While the capital build cost is estimated at £7.6 billion, this figure excludes the high-value IT infrastructure that will be installed within the data halls. Breakdown of major cost areas includes: North Lincolnshire Council is actively seeking government recognition of the area as an AI Growth Zone—a designation that would fast-track planning, infrastructure delivery, and energy support. If successful, Elsham could soon become a key node in the UK’s digital infrastructure network. Should the scheme receive planning approval, the Elsham Tech Park would not only redefine Lincolnshire’s role in the digital economy but also mark a significant milestone in the UK’s race to build the next generation of AI-ready infrastructure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Half of builders’ merchants name AI the top priority for eCommerce growth

Half of builders’ merchants name AI the top priority for eCommerce growth

Builders’ merchants and construction suppliers are accelerating investment in AI, as they seek to modernise operations and stay competitive, according to new research. The study by eCommerce agency PushON, found that nearly half of businesses in the sector (49%) now see the rise of AI and automation as the most significant trend shaping their digital strategies, ahead of platform upgrades and product information management. Partnering with an Amazon full service agency like beBOLD Digital can help brands capitalize on these trends by offering tailored automation, data-driven insights, and end-to-end support across the Amazon marketplace. The report, Building the Future: The Evolution of Construction eCommerce, reveals a sharp uptick in the use of AI to drive personalisation, forecasting and customer experience improvements. Nearly two-thirds of firms surveyed said they were already using AI to offer personalised recommendations to customers, with plans to expand further. Inventory forecasting and stock management are also undergoing transformation, with 40% of companies deploying AI to better predict demand and optimise supply chains. AI’s impact extends into customer service and marketing operations. Almost half of businesses (48%) report using AI chatbots to enhance responsiveness and support, while 46% are automating their marketing efforts to streamline operations. Enhanced site search functionality, using AI to better match customer queries with relevant products, has also emerged as a key investment area, with 49% of businesses investing in smarter search tools to drive better online engagement and conversion rates. Sam Rutley, managing director of PushON, said: “Our research shows that AI adoption is accelerating rapidly in the construction supply sector and is reshaping the future of digital commerce. Builders’ merchants and suppliers that embrace these technologies now will be better positioned to meet changing customer expectations and drive future growth, while those who delay risk falling behind.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Signify and Cornerstone to deploy city-wide multi-operator wireless network through street lighting

The partnership will enhance urban connectivity across three major cities in the UK this year, with Oxford as the first city of deployment, enabled by Dense Air’s neutral host platform Signify, the world leader in lighting, has partnered with Cornerstone, the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure services company, and Dense Air, a leading neutral host platform-as-a-service provider, to transform street lighting infrastructure into a platform of scalable multi-operator connectivity. This first-of-its-kind partnership will launch in Oxford, creating a shared network for mobile operators that leverage existing light points to seamlessly expand wireless coverage and capacity, enabling instant connectivity in dense urban areas. Using street lighting, Signify’s BrightSites solution provides connectivity for 4G and 5G, IoT applications such as CCTV cameras, Internet services via Wi-Fi, and other high bandwidth applications, eliminating the need for additional infrastructure and resetting the economic model on how mobile operators deliver service.  Dense Air’s multi-operator cellShare® platform enables Cornerstone to provide neutral host services to UK mobile network operators, adhering to Joint Operator Technical Specifications (JOTS). The technology optimizes network capacity by leveraging small cell technology specifically designed for public spaces. Khalid Aziz, SVP and Managing Director of BrightSites by Signify: “By harnessing the power of 5G and IoT through our lighting technology, we not only illuminate streets but also pave the way for a more connected and sustainable future. In partnership with Cornerstone and Dense Air, Signify will enable our partners to tap into existing lighting infrastructure as a wireless network, bringing a new era of smart city solutions.” Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “These new small cells offer an excellent connectivity solution, and it’s exciting to see a sustainable option that works in both urban and rural areas. Enhanced digital infrastructure supports the council’s strategic objectives by providing environmental, economic, and social benefits. Small cells, being only the size of a shoebox, minimise street clutter and seamlessly integrate into our surroundings.” Miranda van Gestel, Chief Customer Officer at Cornerstone: “At Cornerstone, we are leading the way in transforming the UK’s digital landscape with innovative solutions such as our Small Cell Coverage Solution. By integrating state-of-the-art technology into existing infrastructure, we’re not only addressing the growing demand for seamless connectivity but also empowering local authorities, MNOs, and communities to thrive in the digital age. Our approach ensures faster, more sustainable deployments that enhance everyday life, drive economic growth, and set the standard for smart city innovation.” As the world leader in lighting, Signify is well-placed to transform existing light points into city-wide wireless network grids, enabling seamless connectivity at scale. Starting in Oxford, the project will later deploy across three major cities in 2025, setting the foundation for future expansion and innovation across the UK in the field of smart city infrastructure. Learn more about BrightSites by Signify at https://www.signify.com/global/innovation/brightsites. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Nemetschek Group Joins Forces with Google Cloud to Accelerate Innovations and Global Reach

Nemetschek Group Joins Forces with Google Cloud to Accelerate Innovations and Global Reach

Partnership aims to position Nemetschek as an AI-first industry leader, drive market expansion and enhance sustainability. The Nemetschek Group, a global leader in digital solutions for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AEC/O) and media industries, today announced a major partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate AI-driven innovation, expand into new markets, and enhance digital workflows across its portfolio. Through this collaboration, Nemetschek will leverage Google Cloud’s advanced AI and cloud technologies at a group-level and across its portfolio reinforcing the commitment to innovation and collaboration. The partnership will further accelerate Nemetschek’s growth into new markets, such as Saudi Arabia and India, while reinforcing its presence in Europe, the USA and APAC. “Our partnership with Google Cloud marks a pivotal moment in our mission to redefine how digital solutions drive efficiency, collaboration, and sustainability in the AEC/O industry,” said Charlie Timmermann, Group VP of Strategic Alliances at the Nemetschek Group. “The best innovations often emerge through partnerships. Growing alongside Google Cloud further strengthens Nemetschek as a leader in the digital transformation of the AEC/O industry.” “We are proud to partner with the Nemetschek Group, a leading provider in the AEC/O and media industry, to accelerate its AI-driven innovation and integration,” said Dr Marianne Janik, Vice President, EMEA North, Google Cloud. “With a trusted AI platform that is easy to use, offers choice and extends to an ecosystem of partners, we provide customers solutions that set them up for success in today’s competitive environment. As we share values with Nemetschek around customer centricity and innovation, we see this global partnership as a natural step for us.” A Three Pillar Partnership The collaboration between Nemetschek and Google Cloud is built on three key pillars: driving AI-powered innovation and simplification, accelerating global market expansion, and enhancing efficiency and sustainability. The first pillar focuses on AI and cloud innovation and simplification, with the Nemetschek Group advancing its AI-first strategy through its cloud initiatives. This is a strategic move towards a multi-cloud, AI layered ecosystem designed to strengthen collaboration and automation across design and construction workflows within the groups’ strong brands. As part of the first pillar, Nemetschek is integrating Google Cloud’s AI capabilities to enhance productivity and creativity for architects, engineers, and construction teams. One of Nemetschek’s BIM authoring brands, Graphisoft, has a longstanding collaboration with Google Cloud, which has played a pivotal role in scaling its cloud-based solutions such as its collaboration platform BIMcloud. Over the years, the collaboration has enabled Graphisoft to achieve substantial growth, not only in user adoption and engagement but also through ongoing enhancements and the introduction of new innovations. The adoption of geospatial integration with Google Maps and Earth will furthermore enable the BIM authoring brands of the Nemetschek Group, such as ALLPLAN and Vectorworks, to optimise planning and resource allocation. The Nemetschek AI implementation will be guided by three core principles: privacy and data governance, protecting IP rights and creativity, and business integrity, ensuring responsible and transparent adoption. The second pillar centres on business growth, with Nemetschek integrating its solutions within the Google Cloud Marketplace and Google Workspace Marketplace ecosystems to increase Workspace integration, expand market reach and unlock new revenue opportunities. This includes a series of initiatives with for example the Nemetschek brands Bluebeam, GoCanvas, Spacewell and Vectorworks, aimed at accelerating digital adoption to increase collaboration and broaden customer access. The Workspace and Marketplace initiatives will benefit both small and medium-sized architects, engineers and construction companies as well as large enterprises. Sustainability is a core focus in the third pillar, with the Nemetschek Group and Google Cloud collaborating to establish Nemetschek as a leader in sustainability technology for AEC/O. Google Cloud’s AI-powered solutions will help the industry meet sustainability goals such as reducing carbon footprints, assessing lifecycle impacts, and improving energy efficiency. Brands like ALLPLAN, Graphisoft and Vectorworks are embedding AI-driven services to facilitate sustainable design and regulatory compliance, while Spacewell is advancing smart facility management solutions to enhance energy efficiency in the operation phase of the building. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Taylor Woodrow takes the UK’s first autonomous excavator to site

Taylor Woodrow takes the UK’s first autonomous excavator to site

Taylor Woodrow, building on its long civil engineering heritage, is pioneering artificial intelligence technology in the plant sector following a full site-based trial of the UK’s first autonomous excavators. At the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield a dedicated demonstration site was set up so that the Taylor Woodrow innovation team and its partners Gravis Robotics could put the intelligent machine through its paces. The autonomous excavator successfully passed a series of exercises including autonomous excavation to various depths in differing ground conditions, real-time LiDAR capture of the excavation, emergency safe stop as well as autonomous manoeuvring. The project was overseen and verified by experienced site managers, engineers and machine operators treating it as a real project. All the excavation tasks were taken from a real, upcoming scheme to robustly evaluate how it would perform if deployed there, and it worked! This trial was about more than just an excavator without an operator in the cab. This is about supporting the development of physical AI, the new technologies that will allow Taylor Woodrow to transform how physical work is done. Increasing inclusivity, productivity, safety, and accuracy whilst reducing environmental impact and waste. Taylor Woodrow is proud to have helped Gravis Robotics conduct early testing, helping to shape the v2 solution that was demonstrated at Bauma with a number of their partners and where attendees saw a video of the trial at the AMRC that showed how the Anywhere Autonomy approach developed by Gravis provides in-cabin copilot and remote autonomy. The next step is for the SV100-7 to go live at Taylor Woodrow’s project at Manchester Airport. Phil Skegg, managing director of Taylor Woodrow said: “Over the last 10 years our industry safety record has not improved, and our productivity has declined. As an industry around 20% of the cost of what we build can be attributed to not getting it right first time (GIRI). We believe that increasing the mechanisation and automation of the tasks we undertake on site will help address these problems, removing people from danger, being more productive and improving quality of workmanship. Computer controlled machines could be the way forward and as an industry leader we want to be an early adopter and trial what is available. This is an exciting first step made possible by our partnership with Gravis Robotics supported by Yanmar Construction Equipment and AMRC.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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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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