I am consistently surprised by how awed and inspired I am by seemingly improbable ideas that again and again turn into outstanding products. My visit to <a href="http://www.enrfuturetech.com/">ENR’s Annual FutureTech</a> conference in San Francisco last week is no exception.

My two big takeaways are:
<ol>
 	<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ol>
 	<li>Information for people working on a construction site is becoming more accessible. Products like AutodeskBIM 360allow drawings, specs and other project information to be available instantly to workers using mobile phones, tablets and computers. This is by far the biggest technology push for most General Contractors.</li>
 	<li>BIM to FM is the next big nugget of data transfer and owners will be demanding it soon.</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
I have been attending this conference since its inception in 2010 to hear how forward-thinking organizations are using technologies that are improving the construction process. According to a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the construction industry lags far behind all non-farm industries in increased productivity.

<a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Labor-Productivity.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28237" src="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Labor-Productivity.jpg" alt="Labor Productivity" width="795" height="664" /></a>

The opportunities for automation are ripe for this industry and with the advent of inexpensive cloud computing, the prevalence of mobile devices and the massive amounts of project data to be created and analyzed, I believe automation in construction will be on a steep upward curve in the near future. Don’t take my word for it. Go to any construction site of scale and see for yourself.

Here are a few of the most forward-looking highlights from the show:
<h2><a href="http://pillar.tech/"><strong>Pillar Technologies</strong></a></h2>
<a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/environmental-sensors.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28238" src="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/environmental-sensors.jpg" alt="Pillar Technologies Environmental Sensors" width="718" height="782" /></a>

Sensors on site, Internet of Things (IoT): Sensors are being placed on job sites that can detect mold, humidity, temperature, dust particles, noise and vibration. These environmental sensors can help predict when drywall mud will be dry for painting, when water is present on the site so contractors can avoid damage or when there is an excessive amount of dust that could harm workers.
<h2><a href="https://www.triaxtec.com/workersafety/">Spot-r</a></h2>
<a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/worker-safety-tracking-sensor.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28239" src="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/worker-safety-tracking-sensor.jpg" alt="Spot-r Worker Safety" width="619" height="332" /></a>

<a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/worker-safety-tracking.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28240" src="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/worker-safety-tracking.jpg" alt="Spot-r Tracking Workers" width="326" height="379" /></a>

Worker safety tracking: This is a wallet size device placed on a worker on site. The device communicates wirelessly with a cloud application to track (in real-time) where the individual is located on a floor plan. The device can also detect a slip and fall and has an emergency call button to notify responders if needed. If desired, it can be used as a time card device or worker site management.
<h2><a href="https://www.smartvid.io/">Smartvid.io</a></h2>
<a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/video-object-recognition.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28242" src="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/video-object-recognition.jpg" alt="Smartvid.io video object recognition" width="783" height="413" /></a>

<a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/automatic-measurements.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-28243" src="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/automatic-measurements.jpg" alt="Smartvid.io - Automatic Measurements" width="332" height="404" /></a>

Machine learning for object recognition: If you take a bunch of pictures on-site, this tool will automatically categorize the pictures based on the images, text and voice tags. The tool recognizes scaffolding and duct work and can read attached text and voice. These folks are teaching the software to recognize safety issues such as a worker without a helmet or safety vest. Another application is automatically detecting cracks in a subterranean wall to estimate repairs.
<h2><a href="http://www.doxel.ai/">Doxel</a></h2>
Artificial Intelligence for the construction site: This one is still in the skunkworks with little public information available. In general, this tool arms a rover-like (think Rhumba) drone that crawls the construction site and does a scan and photo survey every day to track work progress and compare changes. It's still in the early technology stages, but a great case study into what Ai can and will be doing.
<h2>Summary</h2>
The technologies mentioned above will not single-handedly revolutionize the job site. I would expect the job site of the future to have sensors, videos and robots that ensure safety, assist workers and reduce rework. Data is king and the more data collected means more can be measured and improved.

The future is here so keep your eyes and ears open. Some of this technology will be on your job site soon.

The Future of Job Sites - Highlights from ENR FutureTech

Our work here at CADD Microsystems takes us to unexpected places, and that’s one of the things we love about what we do. We were recently approached by the <a href="https://www.agc.org/learn/agc-education-and-research-foundation" target="_blank">Associated General Contractors (AGC)</a> to donate our services to a construction project that the <a href="http://www.warriorcanineconnection.org/" target="_blank">Warrior Canine Connection (WCC)</a> had undertaken.

[caption id="attachment_1018" align="alignright" width="362"]<img class="wp-image-1018" src="/blog/2016/06/Marshall-and-Lundy-300x200.jpg" alt="Construction Project" width="362" height="241" /> Marshall and Lundy[/caption]

The WCC is a non-profit that uses clinically-based Canine Connection Therapy to help wounded warriors recover from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. It connects veterans with puppies, to train them to be service dogs for other veterans in need. This is a great form a therapy not only for the service member in need of a service dog, but also for the puppy trainer, as they have an important mission to direct their energy towards while transitioning back to life at home.

The WCC wanted to renovate existing buildings at a property they had just leased for a new training facility for the service dogs. They needed help with the entire construction process, and we were more than happy to donate our services. It’s hard to say no to such a worthy cause… and to puppies.

Pete Kelsey from Autodesk used a laser scanner to scan the existing structures and surrounding topography, and gave that point cloud model to Chris Lindo, one of our Application Specialists. From there, he was able to create a 3D model of the site using <a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/products/autodesk-revit-architecture" target="_blank">Revit</a> and <a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/products/autodesk-recap" target="_blank">ReCap 360 Pro</a>. He generated plans, sections, elevations and 3D views in Revit to help visualize the existing structures. Once the Revit model was complete, Chris uploaded all the BIM model data to <a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/products/bim-360-docs" target="_blank">BIM360 Docs</a>, which allows all the other construction and contractor firms to continue coordinating and collaborating throughout the project.

One compelling aspect of this project – in addition to the charitable aspect - is that it highlighted how Autodesk products and BIM processes can help accelerate design, construction and operations of new and renovated buildings – something that our customers can benefit from every day.

We really enjoyed donating our services to help veterans reconnect with their lives, families, communities, and each other. We’ve always supported service members through our CADD Foundation, and this project fits in perfectly with our Foundation’s pillars – combining veterans’ causes with our particular industry expertise. Last year we donated more than $20,000 to veteran associations, and we hope to donate even more this year. Check out our <a href="http://www.caddmicrosystems.com/cadd-microsystems-foundation" target="_blank">CADD Foundation page</a> if you are interested in learning more or getting involved!

And because we can’t have a blog post about puppies and NOT have puppy pictures, here you go…

<img class="alignleft wp-image-1016" src="/blog/2016/06/Warrior-trainer-and-Derek-291x300.png" alt="Warrior trainer and Derek" width="237" height="245" /><img class="alignleft wp-image-1017" src="/blog/2016/06/Puppies-2-25-May-16-300x200.jpg" alt="Puppies 2 25 May 16" width="374" height="249" />

Construction Project: Warrior Canine Connection

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Jeff Gravatte