Associated Builders and Contractors released its second annual construction technology report comprised of case studies that spotlight specific technologies and innovation best practices that ABC member contractors are utilizing to strengthen their value proposition. The report also features safety technology survey data from ABC contractors. Some technologies and innovative practices by ABC contractors found in the 2022 Tech Report include: Robotics: Thanks to a suite of robotic solutions, HITT Contracting, Falls Church, Virginia, and its subcontractor drilled 262 anchors in four hours, ultimately resulting in a pace that allowed a 10-day task to be completed in just four days with … Read more
2022 Construction Outlook
Challenges & trends in year ahead By Sean Clements and Craig Tappel Shortages of just about everything but work have been coloring the construction industry since 2020 due to upheavals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. That doesn’t look to be changing in 2022. Surmounting the challenges to get the job done – on time, on budget and complying with safety requirements – will require construction superintendents to be aware and nimble in making necessary adjustments. That’s not necessarily going to be easy. Here are the forces you’ll have to contend with in 2022: No immediate fix for supply chain disruptions … Read more
ZM Interactive Unveils New xFold Drones
ZM Interactive introduces its line of xFold drones — industrial, unmanned aerial vehicles that can switch between x4, x6, X8 and X12 configurations in minutes. The new xFold Dragon can lift up to 1,000 pounds, while the Dragon Hybrid boasts a flight time of 1.5 hours on battery and over 8 hours with a hybrid system. It’s simple to customize the xFold drone to fit any mission, and is suitable for a range of commercial, construction, military and emergency-response applications. Pilots can swap configurations in minutes, including adding robotic arms for delivery, sensors for 3D mapping and more. The military-grade … Read more
History Unearthed at San Pedro Creek Culture Park
It’s common for Texans to “Remember the Alamo!” with the Spanish mission being by far the most storied landmark in San Antonio, if not the entire state. However, there are many other parts of San Antonio’s 300-year past that also bear remembering. Sometimes it just takes some digging—with historical records or, in the Sundt-Davila joint-venture project team’s case, a Cat 308 mini excavator—to bring them to the public’s attention. During earth work on what will be a public entertainment plaza, part of Phase 1.2 of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park project, the project team recently uncovered the foundation of … Read more
Ready-to-Fly Professional Mini Drone Designed for Construction Applications
Drone Volt introduces Airshadow, its new mini drone. Programmable for automatic missions, this compact and sturdy drone can fly with a low visual and noise signature at speeds up to 90 km/h both day and night. The Airshadow is designed for use in applications such as surveillance, recognition, inspection, search and mapping in the security, safety, construction and energy areas. The Drone Volt R&D teams have integrated the latest technologies in order to meet the numerous requirements for professional and industrial applications. The Drone Volt Control application makes it possible to easily program different missions and monitor telemetric data on … Read more