Starting Off:
Last Friday, The ConTechCrew aired episode 86 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 HoloBuilder’s JobWalk app, the Bluebeam Pulse, Skycool Systems new high-tech panels, John Deere acquiring Blue River Technology, and much more! Special guest, Danny Owens, Innovation Manager at Holder Construction, also joined to discuss building R&D programs in construction companies.
Shameless Plug:
Don’t miss out on the Dallas ConTech Roadshow Early Bird Registration! Join us for this one-day tech event on October 24th at the Dallas Irving Convention Center and grow your network of local contractors and learn about the tech that can improve your construction workflows and projects. Don’t wait for a national convention and multiple days out of the office to get a boost of construction tech knowledge. Register here by October 1st for Early Bird pricing!
Tech You Should Try:
The HoloBuilder JobWalk app allows users to create and synchronize virtual 360° tours. To learn more about the JobWalk app and how it connects your 360° camera and mobile device, tune into last week’s ConTechTuesday.
Construction Tech News:
Industry Education, Insights & Trends
Everything Apple Announced in Five Minutes
Last week on September 12th, Apple held its annual iPhone centric event. Watch the quick five-minute video below to learn about everything that was announced, including the new iPhone X, iPhone 8, Apple Watch Series 3 and 4K Apple TV.
Fast, Secure Blockchain Tech From An Unexpected Source: Microsoft
Microsoft is aiming to make shared ledger transactions safer for large corporate clients by creating a blockchain-based method for managing trade finances called Coco.
Introducing Bluebeam Pulse™, a Sensor for the Jobsite
Bluebeam has announced their new pilot program that plans to implement sensors on construction jobsites. The Pulse will be able to monitor temperate, humidity and light on the jobsite.
Amazing Offer from StructionSite
StructionSite is offering free access to their platform for anyone affected by the recent hurricanes around the United States that is needing to document their home for insurance. Visit info@structionsite.com if this offer could help you!
3D Printing
TU Eindhoven’s 3D-Printed Concrete Bicycle Bridge
Watch the video below to witness the process of how Eindohoven University of Technology and BAM Infrastructure created a 3D printed concrete bicycle bridge that measures 8 meters long and 3.5 meters wide.
Harvard Researchers 3D Print Stretchable Wearable Electronics Using Hybrid Technique
Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biology Inspired Engineering at Harvard University are creating various types of electronics that have never been seen before by combining hard and soft electronic elements into durable, stretchable sensors.
Emerging Technology
A Material That Throws Heat into Space Could Soon Reinvent Air-Conditioning
MIT Technology Review discusses how Skycool Systems is creating high-tech panels designed to cool buildings by exploiting an odd quirk of optics that allows a band of radiation to escape into space.
How John Deere’s New AI Lab is Designing Farm Equipment For a More Sustainable Future
John Deere Labs has partnered with Blue River Technology to focus on how the use of artificial intelligence could help farmers grow enough food for the exploding global population.
Silk Spun by Graphene-Fed Spiders is One of the Strongest Materials on Earth
This article from Futurism discusses how after scientists fed small amounts of graphene and carbon nanotubes to spiders, they then created webs that were five times stronger than normal.
[INTERVIEW] Danny Owens, Innovation Manager at Holder Construction, Discusses Building R&D Programs for Construction Tech
In the second half of the podcast, Danny Owens, Innovation Manager at Holder Construction, joined The ConTechCrew to discuss building R&D programs in construction. Danny was born and raised in Shawnee, Kansas. After earning a mechanical engineering degree from Washington University, Danny moved to Atlanta and started working for Holder Construction.
In the interview, Danny talked about Holder Construction’s culture and how it helped him switch his focus from preconstruction over to technology innovation. Danny and The ConTechCrew explained inefficiencies they have learned from the field, explained the value of augmented reality technology, as well as, provided advice to other companies who are starting to apply R&D programs to evaluate new construction tech.
Listen to the Podcast: Spreaker, YouTube, iTunes, SoundCloud
Follow On Twitter: @JBKnowledge, @TheConTechCrew
