Starting Off:
Last Friday, the ConTechTrio aired episode 47 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 the release of the first iPhone VR headset, how to maximize modularization, modular exoskeletons, smart-tinting glass and much more! Special guest Elizabeth Bigler (@LizzyBigler), Project Engineer at McCarthy Building Companies (@McCarthyBuild) also joined to discuss field use cases for technology.
Listen to “ConTechTrio 47 Elizabeth Bigler @LizzyBigler from @McCarthyBuild” on Spreaker.
Tech You Should Try:
DJI Osmo – DJI Osmo is designed to keep your camera flat no matter how much you move it. The Osmo helps you record videos and take action shot photos without any type of blur or shake.
Weekly ConTechTrio Twitter Poll:
Last Week’s Poll: Does your company utilize a mobile app to receive updates on construction projects from the field in real-time?
This Week’s Poll: The 2016 #ConTechReport shows that females make up 20% of construction industry professionals. What percentage of your company is female? Visit the ConTechTrio Twitter page and choose from the following options: 0-25%, 25-50% or Over 50%
ConTechTrio News:
Download the 2016 Construction Technology Report
The 5th Annual Construction Technology Report, published by JBKnowledge in partnership with MCAA, CFMA and Texas A&M University’s Construction Science Department, is now available for download. This year’s survey produced over 2,000 responses and incorporated BRAND NEW questions on Participant Demographics, BIM/VDC Workflows, IT Staff, Mobile Apps, Drones and more – providing more insight than ever before. Get your copy of the 2016 #ConTechReport and learn about the tech solutions and strategies builders are using and how your company compares! Download the Report.
Construction Dive Newsletter – Get the Top Construction News
Looking for a new year’s resolution? What about committing to being as informed on construction tech news as possible? Let Construction Dive help with daily and weekly updates on everything you need to know about the industry. Sent straight to your inbox. Start 2017 off right by subscribing to the Construction Dive newsletters today. The ConTechTrio agree Construction Dive is a top choice for weekly construction tech news! Sign up for the free newsletters at constructiondive.com/trio.
Construction Tech News:
Industry Education, Insights & Trends
Weekly Technology & Software Rundown
Construction Executive reviews the latest AR and VR solutions for construction; software to enhance the document management process; safety enhancement products and more!
Cards Against Humanity Game Raised $100k to Dig a Hole
The game company, Cards Against Humanity, raised $100k to dig a hole…for absolutely no reason. This game company is notorious for these types of meaningless stunts. (In case you were wondering, no, there is not a deeper meaning or purpose to this hole.)
Huntsville Tiny House Begins Build Phase
Over the past several weeks, Huntsville High School students have been working on a program called SketchUp, creating building designs for a tiny home. Grade 10 student Colin Welsh’s designs were chosen for the project, and construction on the base floor has been initiated.
Over 1 Billion Yahoo Accounts Hacked in 2013 Breach
Yahoo announced recently that information from more than 1 billion client accounts was stolen by a third party in August 2013, twice as large as the 2014 hacking incident reported earlier this year. Information stolen may have included names, email addresses, phone numbers and birth dates.
BIM/VDC Workflows
BuildingSP Releases ClashMEP
ClashMEP is a dynamic, real-time clash detection add in to Autodesk Revit. As a user models, clashes with other Revit objects, models, and point clouds are detected and flagged. Users will no longer have to export to Navisworks for clash detection when using Revit for modeling.
BIM360 Android App is Here
The BIM360 Android app is now available and designed specifically for architects, engineers and stakeholders. Users will be able to comment, markup and view 2D/3D drawings and models.
Augmented & Virtual Reality
The Future of AR & VR is Mobile
Qualcomm believes that the future of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) is mobile. The company is developing mobile processors so that eventually VR/AR can become untethered, portray higher resolution, incorporate enhanced displays, as well as, be lightweight.
VR Headset Now Available for the iPhone
iPhone users, it’s your lucky day, there is now a VR headset available for the iPhone 6, 6S and 7 called “The Bridge.” The headset is actually more powerful than any other phone-driven VR headset on the market, incorporating positional-tracking capabilities that others do not possess.
Prefabrication & Modularization
How to Maximize Modularization
Construction Dive reviews how to utilize off-site manufacturing facilities, modular construction methods to prefabricate building components for final assembly on the job site. By initiating production in a factory environment, modular building provides more efficient construction, reduces waste and boasts faster builds, all contributing to a significant project cost reduction.
Emerging Technology
Modular Exoskeleton Will Change The Workplace Forever
This modular exoskeleton, called Max, helps users with intensive tasks at work. It consists of three modules, which assist the shoulders, legs and back. Each module can reduce required muscle force by up to 60%!
Rocket Wave Notebook Revolutionizing the Way You Take Notes
The way you take notes is about to change. The Rocketbook Wave provides a traditional pen and paper notebook, however, instantly transfers your notes into the cloud using your smartphone. After you have run out of notebook room, you can erase your notes using your microwave oven, and reuse your notebook – this is for-real.
Kinestral Technologies Unveils Smart-Tinting Glass
This recently unveiled smart-tinting glass, called Halio, provides a range of transparency from opaque to clear that can manage the interior light. Occupants will also be able to control the tint level with voice commands, via smartphone or with a wall dimmer switch.
Elizabeth Bigler, Project Engineer at McCarthy Building Companies, Discusses Field Use Cases for Technology
In the second half of the podcast, Elizabeth Bigler, Project Engineer at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc joined the ConTechTrio to discuss field use cases for technology. Elizabeth grew up in Texas, receiving her Undergraduate Degree in Architecture from UT Arlington. She later realized construction was the field she wanted to pursue a career in, and received her Masters in Construction Management from Texas A&M University. During her internship at JBKnowledge, Elizabeth developed a passion for building and pursued this passion, later landing her current job as a Project Engineer at McCarthy. On the podcast Elizabeth reviews her current construction projects, the technology currently utilized on those job sites, as well as, each techs’ benefit to the industry as a whole. Elizabeth and the ConTechTrio wrapped up the interview by discussing the benefits of Bluebeam and other useful industry apps.
Tune into the ConTechTrio podcast again Friday, December 30, 2016 for Episode 48, for the ConTechTrio Year End Review of 2016! 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: Spreaker, SoundCloud , YouTube, iTunes
Follow On Twitter:
JBKnowledge: @JBKnowledge
ConTechTrio: @ConTechTrio
James Benham: @jamesmbenham
Rob McKinney: @conappguru
Josh Bone: @bim2thebone
