Starting Off:
Last Friday, the ConTechTrio aired episode 41 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, presidential impact on construction, BIMForum’s release of the 2016 LOD Specification, new wall-penetrating handheld radar and much more! Special guest Jason Waddell (@WaddellJason), Director of Construction Technology Development at Batson-Cook Construction (@batsoncook) also joined to discuss photogrammetry uses in construction.
Geek Out Product Of The Week:
Segway Ninebot – This new Segway is powered by Ninebot technology. The Segway is a hands-free, two-wheel electric scooter with safer features, higher speeds and a longer battery life.
Weekly ConTechTrio Twitter Poll:
Last Week’s Poll: Have you been involved in a project using prefabrication or offsite construction?
This Week’s Poll: Have you used photogrammetry to evaluate the construction project progress? 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!
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.
Construction Tech News:
Industry Education, Insights & Trends
20 Facts Every Business Leader Should Reflect On
Check out these mind-boggling facts that focus on key tech trends and business challenges every leader should reflect on.
How the Next President Will Impact Construction
How will the next president impact the construction industry? Find out both candidates’ infrastructure plans and their implications for the construction industry!
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
The BIMForum Released the 2016 Version of the LOD Specification
The BIMForum has released the latest version of the Level of Development (LOD) Specification. Updates to the 2016 version include: a railroad bridge steel section, Omniclass and Masterformat references, and new definitions in Part 1.
Augmented & Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality is Driving Construction’s Creative Reinvention
Augmented reality use is growing in the AEC industry, which helps builders visualize virtual objects in the real world. AR is making it easier to collaborate on projects and showcase buildings to potential investors in its proposed real-world location.
New Software, Solutions & Programs
Weekly Construction & Technology Rundown
Check out Construction Executive’s weekly construction tech rundown featuring new technologies for integrating workflows, automating equipment leasing and financing, managing large-format documents, and creating safety analyses.
Emerging Technology
New Wall-Penetrating Handheld Radar
Created by Vayyar Imaging, this handheld imager detects objects behind walls using low-power radio frequency. The Walabot DIY can discover items through non-metallic surfaces and register their depths to 4 inches.
Tesla Releases New Solar Roof Tiles & Home Battery
Tesla recently revealed its new solar roof tiles, and surprisingly they are quite appealing. The solar tiles will be able to power a standard home, and provide spare power via the new Powerwall 2 battery. According to Musk, the overall cost will be less than installing a regular roof and paying the electric bill.
New Solar Panels Can Pull Water From the Air
Each of these solar panels, developed by Zero Mass Water, can produce 5 liters of water per day with the ability to store up to 30 liters for emergencies. The water gathering panel passively absorbs moisture in the air and treats it for human consumption.
Jason Waddell, Director of Construction Technology Development at Batson-Cook Construction, Discusses Photogrammetry Uses in Construction
In the second half of the podcast, Jason Waddell, Director of Construction Technology Development at Batson-Cook Construction joined the ConTechTrio to discuss photogrammetry uses in construction. Jason grew up in upstate New York, later moving to Atlanta to further his construction career. He started off as an estimator for Hardin Construction, eventually transitioning to the BIM/VDC Manager role, where he developed a passion for construction technology. Jason landed his current position with Batson-Cook Construction in 2013, which requires him to set up and manage the standards for technology use and collaborative environments for the coordination process for all projects. On the podcast, Jason further explains his position and the technology his company utilizes on projects. The ConTechTrio and Jason wrapped up the interview by reviewing the benefits of photogrammetry and the current barriers to adoption within the construction industry.
Tune into the ConTechTrio podcast again this Friday for Episode 42, featuring Antti Korhonen, President and CEO of Redpoint Positioning! 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: Spreaker, SoundCloud , YouTube, iTunes
Follow On Twitter:
JBKnowledge: @JBKnowledge
ConTechTrio: @ConTechTrio
James Benham: @jamesmbenham
Rob McKinney: @conappguru
Josh Bone: @bim2thebone
