Here’s the rundown on new technology for equipment/fleet maintenance and tracking, liability insurance for IoT and drones, and VR project walkthroughs. For a busman’s holiday, book tickets for Diggerland and ride an aerial lift.
Apps
The WRKS App connects job seekers and employers. Contractors search for employees using the Smart Matching™ Engine and then connect instantly with the candidates who best fit the company’s needs. Job seekers create a profile and can connect with companies to learn more about job opportunities.
Trackunit On smartphone app enables equipment rental companies and fleet owners to log and track start-up routines together with service and maintenance requirements. Trackunit On provides a smartphone-driven checklist so operators can ensure equipment passes all pre-checks, service requirements are up to date and reports of any visual damage are submitted – including photographic evidence.
Products
Bosch GLL3-330CG (green beam), GLL3-330C (red beam) Three-plane Leveling and Alignment Line Lasers are Bluetooth® connected. With upgraded diodes and brighter beams, these plane lasers offer a visible range up to 200 ft. diameter, increasing to 330 ft. when paired with the Bosch LR8 or LR 6 receiver. Users can control the GLL3-330C and GLL3-330CG remotely with a smart phone and free Bosch Leveling Remote App. The app allows users to turn the leveling laser on and off, select the number of laser planes active and adjust the visibility of the laser lines.
Honeywell’s cloud-based Safety Suite software and specialized electronic RFID tags can be attached to safety equipment then scanned into Honeywell Safety Suite software to track and manage PPE equipment for usage, maintenance and training. One tag adheres to various flat, non-metallic surfaces; one mounts to metallic surfaces; and a sealed, rigid RFID tag can be attached to devices with irregular or odd-sized surfaces.
Marsh’s Project Edge general liability project casualty insurance program covers risks associated with drones, the internet of things, alternative project delivery methods, offsite construction and more. The project-specific general liability policy can be structured as a non-wrap, contractor controlled insurance program (CCIP), or owner controlled insurance (OCIP) and is for projects of $200 million or more.
Software & In the Cloud
IrisVR, a virtual reality company, now includes a Meetings feature within its Prospect software so AEC professionals can meet and perform collaborative virtual reality walkthroughs of models built with Revit, SketchUp, Rhino and other 3D tools. Features include built-in voice chat, layer settings, sunlight and shadows, and more. Up to 12 users can join Multiuser Meetings via the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift VR headsets.
Identified Technologies suite of new drone mappingfeatures now include Haul Road Analysis, Slope Maps, Plan IQ Camera View, Change Detection Tool Color Coding, Enterprise Site Permissions and DJI Inspire 2 Drone with enhanced accuracy and obstacle sense and avoid (SAA) capabilities.
HCSS Plans digital plan management solution for heavy civil construction allows superintendents and project managers to efficiently manage changes and markups to project drawings and plans using Web and mobile applications. Soon, HCSS Plans will work seamlessly with HCSS HeavyBid, HCSS HeavyJob and HCSS Safety programs.
Partnerships & Acquisitions
The ASHRAE BACnet committee, Project Haystack and the Brick initiative are collaborating to integrate Haystack tagging and Brick data modeling concepts into the new proposed ASHRAE Standard 223P for semantic tagging of building data. The standard, “Designation and Classification of Semantic Tags for Building Data,” provides a dictionary of semantic tags for descriptive tagging of building data including building automation and control data along with associated systems. The integration of Haystack tagging and Brick data modeling concepts with the upcoming ASHRAE Standard 223P will enable interoperability on semantic information across the building industry, particularly in building automation.
Video & Cool Stuff
And now for something completely different, but not tech, people are paying to ride an aerial scissor lift, called the Elevation Station, which seats five guests across a 6’ wide by 20’ long operating platform. The “ride,” which is a Genie® GS™-5390 RT scissor lift, lifts passengers up 60 feet and is at Diggerland USA, a construction-themed adventure park where children and their families drive, ride and operate real heavy machinery in a safe environment. Admission is $30-40 a day.
A low-tech product, Bricky adjustable bricklaying tool has templates to measure the exact mortar needed to create a uniform, clean wall.
