There are some exciting new construction technologies in this week’s rundown, including the latest in software for takeoff and estimating, field reporting and project management; a rugged wifi system for construction sites; a tool inventory app; MR platform for instructional content; and a system for crash data analysis.

Apps

GORILLA SAFETY’S FLEET MANAGEMENT MOBILE APP INCLUDES AOBRD INTEGRATION TO AID FLEETS IN SEAMLESS ELD TRANSITIONS

Gorilla Safety’s new mobile app includes AOBRD integration to help fleets transition to meet Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) impending Electronic Logging Device (ELD) compliance on December 18, 2017. Fleets using an AOBRD will have two years to transition from it to the ELD.

DEWALT® Tool Connect™ Inventory Management System

DEWALT’s Tool Connect™ features a three-part inventory management solution that encompasses the Tool Connect™ Inventory Manager web portal, the updated Tool Connect™ mobile app and connected products. The system pairs connected tools, equipment and materials with the Tool Connect™ app and stores data online so users can track the last seen location of paired assets and manage and assign tools and equipment to different jobsites.

Products

3M™ Reinvents Speedglas™ Welding Helmet for New Generation of Welders

The 3M™ Speedglas™ Welding Helmet 9002NC features cutting-edge optics and a sleek, modern look at an affordable price. Designed with everyday working conditions in mind, it helps users weld with precision and accuracy with a realistic view that may allow better control of the weld puddle. Features include built-in exhaust vents to reduce lens fogging; slim profile for freedom of movement when welding in tight spaces; ergonomically designed suspension for a precise fit; and smooth ratchet for easy tightening even while wearing gloves.

Intel’s Robust Drone Ecosystem Delivers New Solutions to Construction

The Intel Falcon 8+ drone offers robust flight performance, advanced safety and data accuracy as a solution for inspection and close mapping. The Falcon 8+ is ideal for automated bridge inspection with its Intel Mission Control software that facilitates flight planning, management and post-processing.

ConsTrack360 Business Intelligence Reports Provide Insights into Construction Industry

ConsTrack360 strategy research and consulting firm provides business intelligence platforms on building and infrastructure construction, green building construction and prefabricated construction. The platform comprises over 150,000 data points and 1000+ reports to gain unique insights into construction industry dynamics. ConsTrack360's analysis combines industry level opportunities, consumer dynamics and market risks to deliver unique insights.

CalAmp CrashBoxx Connected Vehicle Risk Management System Automates Crash Data

CalAmp’s CrashBoxx™ vehicle risk management system provides businesses with actionable insights into crash events in near real time. Service options include CrashBoxx with accident reconstruction for detailed analysis of a collision within minutes of the event, such as force of the crash, direction of impact, speed prior to impact and other key metrics to automate loss recovery; and CrashBoxx with predictive physical damage to help determine in near real time whether the vehicle is a total loss or repairable.

Software & In the Cloud

Sage Collaborates with eTakeoff, Autodesk for Integrated BIM, Takeoff and Estimating Solution

Sage has collaborated with Autodesk and eTakeoff on an integrated Building Information Modeling (BIM), takeoff and estimating solution. This BIM solution automates manual processes estimators face when trying to produce detailed cost estimates from 3-D models and 2-D digital plans. It also paves the way for integration with cloud-based solutions used in field project collaboration on mobile devices and in digital plan rooms. The new model-based cost estimating solution integrates eTakeoff software and Autodesk Navisworks with Sage Estimating for detailed takeoff simultaneously from 3-D models and 2-D drawings.

Scope AR Launches Mixed Reality Smart Instruction Creation Platform for Microsoft HoloLens

Scope AR’s mixed reality (MR) content authoring platform, WorkLink, now supports Microsoft HoloLens so even non-technical HoloLens users can create their own MR-based step-by-step instructional content to leverage and adapt MR across training, repair, manufacturing and IT without having to create an application from scratch. The platform is fully agnostic, featuring cross-platform publishing on Android, iOS and Windows.

InEight Software Suite Increases Certainty Throughout the Project Life Cycle

InEight ® Project Suite provides companies with applications to solve challenges in project cost management, project information modeling, field execution, project administration and actionable insights. InEight Project Suite includes configurable modules to identify issues, take corrective action, forecast costs, adjust and manage change and oversee every aspect of project plans and progress. InEight Project Suite integrates with existing software. InEight Project Suite includes InEight Estimate, InEight Control, InEight Plan, InEight Progress, InEight Inspect and InEight Report.

PlanGrid Field Reports for the Construction Industry

With PlanGrid’s Field Reports, users can create and share daily reports, inspection requests, safety checklists, hazard analyses and more to increase productivity on the jobsite. Workers can copy reports, provide PDFs with fillable fields, file field reports directly from PlanGrid’s iOS app, attach photo references, maximize Siri’s speech recognition to complete Field Reports and provide daily summary emails that highlight new submissions and immediate notifications for new report assignments.

Video & Cool Stuff

The Future of Construction from DEWALT®

DEWALT is launching a fully connected system, DEWALT WiFi, and, later, an Internet of Things platform, to enhance productivity, profitability and safety on the jobsite. DEWALT’s patented WiFi mesh technology provides reliable connectivity and asset management with ruggedized access points built to withstand the harsh and variable conditions of a construction jobsite.

Hobby Drone Regs Struck Down

Following an appeals court decision on May 19 that ruled the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act was invalid because it prohibited the regulation of “model aircraft,” the Federal Aviation Administration announced it is reviewing the U.S. Court of Appeals’ decision. For now, “small aerial devices” or hobby drones may fly without regulation and registration. Contractors and real estate professionals should note that commercial uses are not affected by the ruling.

Buy or Sell Equipment With Machinio

Machinio is a global search engine for finding used machinery in all major categories worldwide. Its comprehensive database has more than one million active listings and over 500,000 interested buyers from 190+ countries. Buyers can search for specific machines in their area, while sellers can expose their inventory to thousands of buyers globally.

New Study Finds BIM Gaining Ground in Transportation Infrastructure

A new SmartMarket Report from Dodge Data & Analytics shows that the use of BIM is increasing in the horizontal construction market. The Business Value of BIM for Infrastructure 2017 SmartMarket Report –produced in partnership with Autodesk and with support from Deloitte – analyzes how engineers, contractors and owners are using BIM for transportation infrastructure projects in the U.S., U.K., France and Germany. Commitment to BIM is skyrocketing among firms who use it, with 52 percent now reporting they deploy it on over half their projects, versus only 20 percent two years ago. The report is free, but registration is required to download.,