Last Friday, the #ConTechTrio aired episode 1.16 of the podcast in which James Benham (@jamesmbenham), Rob McKinney (@conappguru) and Josh Bone (@bim2thebone) discussed the latest construction tech news. Headliners last week included new 3D scanning phones, 3D printed buildings and much more! Special guest Tooey Courtemanche, CEO of @ProcoreTech also joined to discuss construction project management platforms.
The show kicked off with thrilling JBKnowledge news, James Benham announced that the #ConTechTrio Podcast had over 1,000 listens in a single week! The exciting announcement, however, was followed by an unfortunate event, Frank Maxwell, Ingress player, drowned while playing the augmented reality game in Dublin, Ireland – reminding everyone to be cautious when using this type of technology. On the 3D scanning front, @Lenovo and @Google announced they will be launching a 3D mapping phone equipped with Project Tango capabilities this summer. The camera technology allows a device to detect depth and map out a space in 3D.
Also in the news, a federal district court in Ohio rejected an attempt by @iSqFt Inc. to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit brought by @DodgeData & Analytics LLC. In the world of technology devices, researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) found a way to make ridiculously long-lasting rechargeable batteries. They’ve made a battery that takes 200,000 charge cycles, says, “No sweat!” and keeps charging – WOW.
In academic news, The University of Alabama’s STEM Path to the MBA program, in partnership with @BrasfielGorrie, now offers students the opportunity to apply technology applications in a construction environment. This “real-world” research project focuses on technology that is designed to help monitor logistics, and track parts/equipment on active construction sites. An award was celebrated on the podcast, Bond-Laminates, the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and HBW-Gubesch Thermoforming together received an award in the ‘Processes’ category at the @JEC 2016 Innovation Awards. The construction technology involves the inclusion of local tape reinforcements to Tepex-brand thermoplastic composite sheets in order to enhance mechanical performance, material weight and thickness. @CaterpillarInc launched an integrated microgrid solution that combines solar PV and energy storage with the company’s power generation equipment.
The Trio also discussed @CBOMagazine’s 10 construction trends to watch in 2016 article. In regards to wearables, researchers at Harvard University unveiled their latest updates on an exosuit, which is basically a magical pair of trousers that makes your backpack feel just a bit lighter and preserves your fluid joint movements. The first-place winner of the GIGTANK startup accelerator challenge, architecture firm @WATG, is officially launching its design dubbed “Curve Appeal.” The cave-like Curve Appeal is a single-family home concept that consists of 28 individual panels that would be 3D-printed by @BranchTechno and then assembled on-site. Lastly, Hyperloop One conducted their first “propulsion open-air test” (POAT) of their electromagnetic propulsion system on a track north of Las Vegas.
In the second half of the podcast, Tooey Courtemanche, CEO of Procore joined the #ConTechTrio to discuss construction project management platforms. Tooey became interested in the construction industry at a young age. While trying to manage the construction of his personal home from out of town, Tooey developed an all-in-one project management platform designed to specifically alleviate construction pain points and thus Procore was born. Since it’s launch in 2003, Procore has grown to incorporate 600 employees, 2,000+ clients and 40 partners. In the podcast, Tooey discusses the main capabilities of Procore, his thoughts on BIM and VR/AR integration, the recent release of his app marketplace and much more!
Tune into the podcast again this Friday as the Co-founder of PlanGrid, Tracy Young, will be joining the #ConTechTrio podcast for Episode 1.17! Until then you can catch up on past episodes of our construction technology podcast and even check out some bonus episodes via the links below!
Listen to the ConTechTrio Podcast on iTunes
Listen to the ConTechTrio Podcast on Spreaker
Listen to the ConTechTrio Podcast on SoundCloud
Listen to the ConTechTrio Podcast on YouTube
