Bots on the job: The past, present and future of robotic builders

From bricklaying arms to load-bearing exoskeletons, a host of high-tech helpers are headed for the job site.

By Jean Thilmany • June 28, 2017

Construction contract awarded for MI autonomous vehicle test site

The American Center for Mobility project, near Detroit, had its property taxes waived for 15 years and has raised roughly half of the $110 million needed for completion.

By Hallie Busta • June 28, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Life Sciences, Labs and Medical Facilities

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By Construction Dive staff

UPDATE: Los Angeles City Council approves plans for $1B Lucas Museum

The 300,000-square-foot project, which features an adjacent parking structure topped with an 11-acre green roof, is slated for completion by 2021. 

By Emily Peiffer • June 28, 2017

Michael Bloomberg unveils $200M 'American Cities Initiative'

The former New York City mayor is looking for solutions to problems that cities face — and the selection criteria include the idea of transferability for other areas.

By Cody Boteler • June 28, 2017

Pittsburgh announces $5.6M plan to streamline permitting

The city will pay software company Computronix to develop a single platform that can be used by multiple agencies and allow applicant tracking.

By Kim Slowey • June 27, 2017

Caterpillar leads funding round for financial analysis software

The equipment maker's venture captial arm led an $11 million Series A funding round for Alight, which serves the mortgage and mining industries.

By Joe Dyton • June 27, 2017

Jacobs Engineering wins 10-year PA traffic management contract

Services for the Schuylkill Expressway will include preliminary and system engineering, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction consultancy.

By Kim Slowey • June 27, 2017

Fundrise launches tool for crowdfunding housing

Launching in Los Angeles, the investor group's eFunds help to develop housing in high-density areas using a large volume of small investments.

By Joe Dyton • June 27, 2017

Tests reveal more details about Tesla's solar roof

Performance and installation information about the hyped solar roofing system has been limited, but the latest tests show power capacity and installation specs.

By Joe Dyton • June 23, 2017

Net-zero energy home construction is on the rise

The number of units built using the method, which requires projects to offset energy use with onsite renewables, increased 33% from 2015 to 2016, says one report.

By Joe Dyton • June 22, 2017

Cornell Tech's Bloomberg Center aims for net-zero energy

The Morphosis-designed building on New York's Roosevelt Island will generate the energy needed to power its operations from on-campus sources.

By Hallie Busta • June 21, 2017

How Passive House is reaching beyond its housing roots

The building method got its start in single-family but has expanded to a host of projects, spurring green-building leaders to push advocates to raise their game.

By Hallie Busta • June 21, 2017

GE tests autonomous drones for equipment, facility inspections

The use of drones can significantly reduce inspection costs and provide more detailed images of areas that are too dangerous for people to access.

By Emily Peiffer • June 21, 2017

Research finds scrap tire fiber ratio that creates stronger concrete

Multiple countries already use "crumb" rubber in their road projects, but the University of British Columbia team characterized this as a more advanced idea.

By Cole Rosengren • June 21, 2017

Security, sensors to drive consumer tech sales through 2018

Growth is also expected for digital assistants, drones, and augmented and virtual reality technology, according to a new report from The NPD Group.

By Joe Dyton • June 20, 2017

Google plans transit-oriented San Jose, CA campus

The tech company is eyeing real estate near the city's Diridon Station to help reduce workers' reliance on car commutes in the densely populated Silicon Valley.

By Joe Dyton • June 20, 2017

New program helps builders add Wi-Fi to homes

Lennar is the first builder to use the certification, which brings wireless internet alongside HVAC and MEP as an essential home system.

By Hallie Busta • June 15, 2017

More industry pros back Architizer's Source product database

The company did not disclose the value of the funding infusion, but architects Bjarke Ingels and Jurgen Mayer H were among the investors.

By Hallie Busta • June 14, 2017

How construction companies are shaping the workflow software of the future

A look at Autodesk's Project IQ shows how machine learning could transform the building process.

By Hallie Busta • June 14, 2017

Austrian construction company invests in 3-D printing startup

Contour Crafting, which uses robotic systems to construct buildings from CAD data, is currently focused on creating low-cost and emergency housing.

By Emily Peiffer • June 14, 2017

Tishman Speyer uses VR, 3-D models to help sell new condos

The Lumina project in San Francisco leverages Decorist technology to allow potential buyers to see interior design options virtually.

By Emily Peiffer • June 14, 2017

RI issues RFI for connected, autonomous vehicle tech

The Ocean State joins a growing group of states that are exploring smart highways and making other improvements to ready their roads for driverless cars.

By Mary Tyler March • June 14, 2017

Seattle builder makes smart homes standard

Quadrant Homes joins a growing group of builders bringing the Internet of Things into their homes as smartphone usage continues to grow across the U.S. 

By Hallie Busta • June 13, 2017

WeWork buys FieldLens to help manage construction operations

The coworking space provider has grown its digital and construction competencies through acquisitions as bigger clients request larger offices.

By Hallie Busta • June 7, 2017

A new device to spot potholes could help cities fix them faster

Technology is a critical part of improving America’s deteriorating infrastructure, but uptake will be driven by funding — a topic currently in the spotlight.

By Hallie Busta • June 7, 2017