There’s nothing quite like an event to bring the industry together to show off the latest and most innovative technologies, and the upcoming Dimensions+ Conference was no different.
From AI and robots to new software releases for the future, The technology of the future is shaping to be a technological sandbox.
Here are a few new construction technologies that we have seen at the conference.
1. Brain Computer Interface
Trimble Emerging Tech
Through the strength of brainwaves, observe as two participants fight on a remote-controlled race track. Starting with a brief drill consisting of ‘push’ as well as top. The program focuses on the brain activity of the other participants for control of the race track with a toy vehicle.
It was definitely an Expo popular event to take part in and always had a huge crowd watching. This technology has the potential to have huge applications in the construction industry for tasks like machine control or even brain-powered functions that decrease manual work.
2. Autonomous and semi-autonomous Machinery
Trimble Civil Construction // Trimble Autonomy
The main highlight of the year’s Offsite was the way it drove it to its success. In the Trimble Autonomy area, you’ve probably guessed it: semi-autonomous and autonomous machines were running all day long, showing their latest capabilities. An excavator that was autonomous constructed a trench of 30 meters by itself while a Dynapac compactor leveled the site using precision.
In the meantime, a semi-autonomous tractor fitted by Trimble Earthworks was controlled by remote control using the Trimble Autonomy team up above. When the excavator had completed its trench, it would be filled with the dozer to fill in the hole, and the process would begin from the top.
3. Trimble Construction Cloud with Microsoft Azure
Trimble Construction // Microsoft
Live-sharing capabilities on multiple platforms Source Trimble
It was announced on the Main Stage this year The Trimble Construction Cloud, co-created with Microsoft, is expected to be a real game changer.
It connects the processes, data, and individuals like never before. This is thanks to things like the Common Data Environment (CDE) Open APIs, Trimble Developer Portal Trimble Developer Portal, and exclusive capabilities such as live sharing, as well as custom-designed workflows.
Notable Stats:
- Reduce inefficiencies and improve accuracy by implementing custom workflows
- Scale and collaborate through connected work with real-time updates
- Free your data by clicking your office to the tools for the operation of your site
4. Hilti ON!Track App
Hilti
A new partnership with Trimble lets contractors track equipment and assign them to tasks by integrating Hilti’s ON! Track asset tracking system, as well as the Trimble Viewpoint ERP as well as Trimble Construction One. Trimble Construction One Suite.
The tracking system utilizes NFC tags to identify the equipment, which allows contractors to know what equipment was used for invoicing without manual entry – connecting the field with finance.
5. The Great Library
Trimble Construction
You might be thinking about how a 2,000-year-ancient library located in Turkey has become the foundation of a modern building resource. From the beginning of Rome to the present-day marvel, find out how an intrepid team of contractors, engineers, and architects take on the most crucial question in Construction: “Is Connected Construction possible?’. It is an exciting endeavor that connects all stakeholders in the industry to apply these principles to real-world applications.
6. CAT Command / CAT Vision / CAT Payload
CAT
The CAT company brought a complete range of technology to show with the CAT Command Cat, Vision, and the CAT Payload.
Utilizing Cat Command technologies, you can improve operator safety, equipment availability, and productivity of the site with remotely controlled, semi-autonomous, or completely autonomous equipment. Universal controls permit operators to connect to five machines from a single location.
CAT Vision provides personnel detection and alerts the user to the ever-changing circumstances that occur within the machine. In addition, CAT Payload adds innovative technology to loading materials that monitors and controls the load accurately.
7. Trimble Construction One: Civil Workflow
Trimble Construction
The other announcement made on the main part during the Construction keynote was the advantages of Trimble’s Construction One solution suite. Three workflows were described further, including the MEP procurement workflow Structural Model for Fab and the civil Bid for the Build process.
This connected civil Bid for Build workflow is designed to ensure that production is controlled throughout the project. The software then creates the estimate, and it then transmits the items for payment through the Financial Management system using cost codes and types as well, and a work order is generated for the person on site. The machine of the operator receives machine control, which can save up to 20% of productivity as the linked apparatus transmits real-time progress reports in the back office in order to check against actuals.
8. Sketchup for iPad
Trimble Sketchup
The announcement was made in the fall of 2021. It is a technology that will resonate across the entire business. It will serve as a bridge that is accessible to designers and architects. It allows the design to move away from the screen — or on the screen, and be truly mobile to design on-site and, on the move, and everywhere else.
Notable Stats:
- Support for Apple Pencil, multi-touch gestures as well as AR watching
- Supported by the 3D Warehouse with libraries of 4 million pre-built models, fixtures, and much more.
- A solid connection to the cloud-based collaborative platform Trimble Connect to keep all data in sync
9. Spot the Dog and other robot buddies
Boston Dynamics // PFF Robotics // Trimble Autonomy
No surprise, the most talked about conference was our robotic buddy, Spot the Dog, from Boston Dynamics. Spot displayed its latest and improved movements, which have already demonstrated excellent applications for construction sites.
This time, Spot was joined by a few robotic buddies who were from the PFF (Piaggio Fast Forward) Robotics. This Gita version is a round machine with wheels that follow your movements and transport your items for you. PFF also had a bigger model in the cart style, which carried wire spools and other tools as an illustration.
10. SitePrint
HP
It’s not the only layout printer that the market has ever seen, but it could be a rising star in the future as HP integrates its expertise in cutting-edge printing technology and robotics. Increase the efficiency of layouts by ten times with these robotics printing on slabs and produce precise arrangements on a range of printing surfaces as well as intricate arcs and circumferences.
Layout robots are compatible with Trimble’s most recent robot-total station equipment, Trimble Ri, which is suitable for indoor Construction. It is equipped with self-calibration and automatic level detection along with Trimble VISION technology for advanced tracking; the Trimble Ri enables the SitePrint robot to perform autonomous, high-quality Indoor layout tasks.
11. Map-based localization using SLAM
Trimble Positioning / Perrone Robotics
Being aware of the exact whereabouts and the direction of a vehicle in GNSS difficult or non-existent conditions is crucial to order in steering, optimum path planning, and obstacle avoidance for an enjoyable and safe driving experience. At the Expo, Perrone Robotics featured the AV, which employs Trimble’s SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology to provide precise information about the location of its autonomous vehicles that are highly precise.
Similarly, General Motors and Trimble announced this fall that they had reached the milestone of driving over 34 million miles of Super Cruise engaged on GM vehicles. The Super Cruise mode keeps in-lane position to allow hands-free driving by using the same technology for positioning that uses RTX (Real-Time eXtended) technology to provide high-GNSS accuracy adjustments since 2017 in conjunction with GM.
12. Compact Track Loader for CAT, equipped with Siteworks Machine Guidance
[Releasing at 2023 CONEXPO]
Trimble Civil Construction
Operating Offsite, this CAT 289D3 displayed its upgraded design and smooth performance while running using the Trimble Siteworks Machine Guidance. It has a longer reaching and lifting height as well as 15 percent more space inside the cab to ensure comfort for operators.