While Google has been testing their driverless car for months and months, with mixed results, the construction industry will actually be the first to enjoy the benefits of the developing technology.
Read moreThe Best Apps for Language Translation for Construction Workers
We’ve said it over and over again, communication is key to an on time, on budget and safe construction job site. One of the things that makes that difficult is the fact that our industry employs one of the largest percentages of foreign born workers, which can make proper communication very difficult for some. According to the Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety & Health, 25% of construction workers were foreign born in 2008.
Read moreDeWalt’s ToolConnect App and Bluetooth Batteries are Now Available and They Both Look Awesome
Back in early June, DeWalt announced the release of the first ever Bluetooth rechargeable battery, which would allow the owner to track performance and location of their inventory of batteries. On many job sites, rechargeable batteries are the unsung hero of the job site, they give workers flexibility and mobility to work in remote areas of the job site, but are often abused and misplaced. The ToolConnect app can alert the owner if a battery goes too far out of range, if it’s too hot or too cold, and even track the battery usage to keep workers productive.
Read moreFieldLens Integrates with Bluebeam to Combine Document Management and Jobsite Communication
As everyone in the construction industry knows, communication is the key to a successful project, no matter how big or small. In recent years, there has been an influx of software development for the construction industry in order to make communication between the job site and the construction offices much easier. Now, two of the construction communications powerhouses have integrated to bring construction professionals two of the best of job site communication and document management together in one system.
Read moreInflatable Bubble Building Hopes to Improve Air and Light Quality in Polluted Shanghai
After moving from his native Rome to Shanghai, China, architect Francesco Gatti noticed a distinct difference in the beauty of sky. The dull, gray, ultra-polluted sky of Shanghai left him hoping the sun would go down earlier, so he wouldn’t have to look at it anymore. When Gatti later realized how much better he felt when the room he was in had a frosted skylight, which accentuates the brightness of the sunlight, he decided to design a whole building around that concept.
Read moreMilwaukee Set to Release Free and Exciting New Tool Tracking Software “ONE-KEY”
Construction companies spend thousands and thousands of dollars each year on tools, but many of them are lost, damaged, or mismanaged, leading to even more money being spent on replacements or loss of time labor time searching for the necessary tools. Tools are so integral to a project being on time and under budget, but it’s extremely difficult to manage a large inventory that’s constantly moving. Find out how Milwaukee aims to change this...
Read more4 Reasons Why Every Contractor Should Use a Thermal Imaging Camera
Thermal imaging cameras are handheld instruments that measure the heat differential of objects in the view of the camera. Like most technology, capabilities are getting better and better, as well as more affordable than ever, like the pocket sized smart phone attachment, the FLIR One, which we wrote about recently. Thermal imagers have many great applications in the construction industry, which not only help you determine the quality of your build, but also can greatly assist in preventative maintenance.
Read moreUS Army Scientists Develop Smaller, Stronger, Cheaper Solar Cells
Photo by Mountain/ \Ash, CC BY 2.0
Solar technology has struggled since its inception to stay cost effective enough to make up for the large initial investment. Government subsidies have helped, but many fear that those will soon go away. Because of that, scientists are fighting to produce smaller, more powerful solar cells to bridge the gap between energy and cost savings and US Army scientists have made a new breakthrough in the technology.
Read moreIncredibly Awesome Working 18-Wheel Lego Crane!
If you want to be the envy of your construction office, just show up with this masterpiece! It is a 1:23.5 scale model of the Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 mobile crane made out of LEGO bricks, and it's not just for show either. It's fully drive-able and controllable with a cab that swings into position, outriggers, and a telescoping boom.
Read moreScientists Create an Invisible Solar Cell That Transforms Windows into an Energy Source
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar electricity use in the United States increased by 34% in 2014 versus 2013. This solar technology could turn a standard window into a viable energy source.
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