Archinect - News

New AI resource guide details tech solutions for building contractors

2024-02-15T20:36:00-05:00

The industry group Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has just published a new guide to AI resources for contractors working closely with architects on building projects across the U.S.

“The possibilities of AI technology may sound endless, but we must first educate ourselves on the basics, and this resource is a starting point to understand AI and its potential impact on the construction industry,” said ABC Director of Construction Technology and Innovation Patrick Scarpati, who authored the guide. “The industry has immense opportunities to evaluate how we can better deliver projects, and we can lean on AI in achieving essential goals like upskilling, workforce development, knowledge transfer, supply chain optimization, enhanced safety design and planning and much more.”

Among the tools ABC says are supposed to make the building trade more efficient, safer, and productive are Autodesk’s new Construction IQ risk analysis software, the Hypar building modeling program that let...

The 10 most promising construction startups of 2021, from AI contract reviewers to cloud-based material management

2021-11-24T14:02:00-05:00

The ten winners of the Construction Startup Competition 2021 have been announced by CEMEX Ventures, recognizing the most promising startup companies in the construction sector for this year. The overall winner of the competition was Document Crunch, an AI-powered software which can identify and explain critical issues in construction contracts.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Document Crunch allows users to upload documents online to be reviewed by an AI software to analyze risk, understand waivers, and highlight indemnity and insurance obligations. As well as reviewing construction contracts and insurance policies, the software can also analyze plans, drawings, and specifications, categorizing elements such as design responsibility, confidentiality requirements, hazardous materials, and warranty obligations.

Document Crunch was one of ten winning projects in the competi...

Autodesk announces new features for Construction Cloud, including scheduling tool and Microsoft Teams integration

2021-10-06T14:12:00-04:00

Autodesk has announced a series of new updates to their Autodesk Construction Cloud, a software solution seeking to connect design and construction team members through a single ecosystem. The latest updates are centered on Autodesk Build, a software that focuses on construction management, including quality, safety, and cost control.

Among the new updates in Autodesk Build is a Schedule tool that allows teams to centralize schedule management. Office and construction teams can now share digital schedules in real-time and link documents, sheets, photos, and RFIs into their communications. Schedules can now be viewed in calendar or chart formats, display activity status in real-time, and integrate with the Cost tool to display schedule-related expenses such as material handling and clean-up costs.

Additional updates rolled out to Autodesk Build include sheet sharing across accounts, whereby cu...

Autodesk acquires AI construction tech company Pype

2020-07-27T11:23:00-04:00

Autodesk announced last week it has signed an agreement to acquire Pype, a construction software provider of solutions for automating project management workflows. The acquisition will strengthen Autodesk's Construction Cloud, allowing general contractors, subs, and owners to automate tasks such as submittals and closeouts, among many other job related workflows.

"I could not be more optimistic about the future of the building industry," said Andrew Anagnost, CEO of Autodesk in a statement. "Even in challenging times such as those we are currently facing, Autodesk remains focused on making the jobs of people who build easier. Pype’s robust machine learning capabilities will empower Autodesk customers to connect workflows across the building lifecycle in new ways and optimize their businesses for long-term resiliency."