Starting Off:
Last Friday, the ConTechTrio aired episode 40 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 Atlanta ConTech Roadshow, the top 4 industry trends for 2017, moBack’s first AR platform, new sensing system that detects weaknesses in buildings and much more! Special guest Britton Langdon (@BrttonLangdon), Co-Founder of FabPro (@Fab_Pro1) also joined to discuss the future of prefabrication in construction.
Geek Out Product Of The Week:
Milwaukee® M12™ Heated Jacket – The heated jacket utilizes carbon fiber heating elements to generate and trap heat across core body areas. The adjustable technology allows users to adapt to changing conditions by increasing or decreasing the heat level with the touch of a button!
Weekly ConTechTrio Twitter Poll:
Last Week’s Poll: Who takes the lead on BIM in your projects?
This Week’s Poll: Have you been involved in a project using prefabrication or offsite construction? Visit the ConTechTrio Twitter page and simply answer “Yes” or “No.”
ConTechTrio News:
Early Bird Registration Open for Atlanta ConTech Roadshow
We’re excited to announce that the JBKnowledge ConTech Roadshow will make its debut in Atlanta, Georgia on December 6, 2016! The one day event will be held from 8am to 6pm at the Georgia Tech Learning Center. We will have educational sessions lead by the ConTechTrio on emerging tech, strategies and best practices and if you’re a SmartBid user a special track for training and education on the software. Early bird pricing available now but limited!
Enter to Win Two Free Passes to Autodesk University 2016
Do you want to see the ConTechTrio live at Autodesk University this November? Complete the form and automatically enter to win a free pass to Autodesk University ($2,175 value)! We will select two winners that will receive each a complementary AU pass. (Contest ends November 4)
ConTechTrio Broadcast Live at Autodesk University 2016
Attending Autodesk University in November? The ConTechTrio will be doing a LIVE broadcast and also will be presenting about Managing Risk through Technology in Session CS20847.
Rob McKinney’s Guest Appearance on The FooJee Show
Check out The FooJee Show Episode 10, with special guest and ConAppGuru, Rob McKinney! Rob reviewed the best apps to use in the construction field and shared a couple of cool toys (or tools depending on your perspective)!
Construction Tech News:
Industry Education, Insights & Trends
A&M Students Apply Classroom Teaching to Construct Skyscraper Replica
A group of Texas A&M construction science students traveled to the UK this past summer to participate in Constructionism — a program focused on providing hands-on construction experience for students and professionals. The students were required to build a replica of the Gherkin, a historical London skyscraper…in 4 days!
Top 4 Industry Trends for 2017
Chief Economist Ken Simonson of the Associated General Contractors of America forecasts key drivers and disruptors for growth in 2017. Find out what you should be focusing on in 2017.
IBM Now Uses More Macs Than Any Other Company
IBM has now deployed over 90,000 Macs since joining forces with Apple in July 2014. IBM also has over 48,000 iPads and over 81,000 iPhones!
The Future of IoT in Construction
In the IoT era, digital sensors and connected devices hold the key to transforming the way that buildings are designed and constructed. Signs show that IoT can create leaner ways of working, reduce cycle times and prevent overruns on projects.
New Partnerships
IBM & Esri Partner to Broaden Customer Experience
Global smart mapping company Esri announced that it now works with IBM developers to broaden the customer experience by making their data and technology available in the IBM cloud. IBM consumers can now use Esri maps, data, geospatial tools and analytical services in a secure cloud environment.
Autodesk & IBM Watson Team Up to Improve Customer Experience
Autodesk and IBM are partnering to provide an improved experience for Autodesk customers and partners. They have worked together to create Otto, a digital concierge that uses IBM Watson technology to resolve customer inquiries, such as requesting an activation code or answering an inquiry, in a matter of minutes.
DJI & Epson Partner on Drone Piloting in AR
DJI & Epson announced that a new version of the DJI GoApp will run on Epson’s upcoming Moverio BT-300 augmented reality glasses. Running the app on the glasses will let users see the drone’s “first-person” camera view while also maintaining eye contact with the drone in flight.
Augmented & Virtual Reality
moBack AR Launches First Augmented Reality Platform
moBack AR is the first augmented reality platform and app that connects 3D content creators to users using augmented and virtual reality devices. Creators can upload their AR experiences from their 3D software with custom plugins.
New Software, Solutions & Programs
Pillar Technologies Wins Forbes Under 30 Summit Competition
Construction startup, Pillar Technologies, was named the winner of the Global Change the World for Profit competition at the Forbes Under 30 Summit. They were recognized for their damage-control and predictive analytics system for job sites. Pillar uses onsite sensors to monitor construction projects for environmental and safety hazards.
New Sensing System Spots Weaknesses in Buildings
MIT researchers have created a computational model for analyzing noise transmissions/vibrations to measure building damage or structural stress. The technology could be used to pinpoint damage or weakness in a structure.
Emerging Technology
Microsoft’s Windows 10 & Surface Event
Learn about everything that was announced at Microsoft’s Windows 10 and Surface Event, including new products, such as Microsoft’s Paint 3D, Microsoft’s Surface Studio, Surface Dial and more!
Apple Unveils Redesigned MacBook Pro
Apple revealed their new MacBook Pro at an event Oct. 27, 2016. The redesigned MacBook Pro incorporates smartphone-like touch screen features right into the keyboard and carries a higher price tag of $1,800. (The ConTechTrio were a bit underwhelmed by this release.)
‘Smart Bricks’ May Replace Traditional Bricks in the Future
These living bricks will be able to generate electricity from the sun, clean wastewater, and modify the air within building structures. Created from bio-reactors with algae and microbial fuel cells, these elements allow for smart bricks to “self-adapt” based on the changing environment around them, the number of occupants in the building and so on.
Britton Langdon, Co-Founder of FabPro Discusses the Future of Prefabrication in Construction
In the second half of the podcast, Britton Langdo, Co-Founder of FabPro joined the ConTechTrio to discuss the future of prefabrication in construction. Britton grew up in Oklahoma, graduating from OU with an International Business/Marketing degree and zero background in construction. He was introduced to the industry while working as a District Manager for Victaulic, an innovative piping technologies and services company. Britton led his team for six years and provided strategic construction process analysis that aimed to reduce overall construction costs, labor risk and increasing client profitability. He later went on to become the Director of Support Operations at Modern Piping, where he was in charge of the fabrication facility and BIM department.
While supporting his field guys and third party customers with those services, Britton developed a software that enhanced the construction measuring and management process, ultimately founding FabPro1. FabPro1 was created to fill a void in the construction fabrication, mechanical contracting and manufacturing industries. That void was an easy-to-use, portable and industry focused software that could provide real-time status updates, valuable tracking and estimating information. On the podcast, Britton discussed the benefits of prefabrication and how companies, including his clients, are implementing and profiting from this method. The ConTechTrio and Britton wrapped up the interview by reviewing the types of devices his customers are using in the fab shop/field and the future of prefabrication in construction.
Tune into the ConTechTrio podcast again this Friday for Episode 41, featuring Jason Waddell, Director of Construction Technology Development at Batson-Cook Construction! 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: Spreaker, SoundCloud , YouTube, iTunes
Follow On Twitter:
JBKnowledge: @JBKnowledge
ConTechTrio: @ConTechTrio
James Benham: @jamesmbenham
Rob McKinney: @conappguru
Josh Bone: @bim2thebone
