Browsing: Innovation
Construction robots have been around since the 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, Japanese companies such as the Shimizu Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, and Takenaka Corporation created robots and remote-controlled machines for excavating, material handling, concrete placing, finishing, fireproofing, earthworks, rebar placing, and other construction tasks. However, the overall robotization of the industry has been slow.
Construction sites are known for their excessive water usage and generation of liquid waste, both of which have a negative impact on the environment. Despite the importance of efficient water management, it is often overshadowed by the focus on carbon emissions reduction in construction. This is partly due to the fact that water-related issues tend to be more localized and may not have as immediate a global impact as climate change. Additionally, there may be a lack of awareness and understanding of the importance of efficient water management in the construction industry.
“The best air quality in the world.” “The world’s first National Park City.” “A zero carbon, zero waste city.”
Those are just some of the bold goals London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced in 2018 as part of the city’s plan to make London a world leader in sustainability. As he put it at the time, “My aspiration is to help turn London into a zero carbon city by 2050. And I’m committed to working with national government, local boroughs, London’s businesses, NGOs, our European neighbours, and individual Londoners to achieve this goal.”
As our world becomes unpredictably hotter due to climate change caused by carbon emissions, governments and organizations are taking increasingly bolder actions to curb and mitigate associated risks. One fascinating emergence from this past summer has been the emergence of Chief Heat Officers (CHO).
Automatic Construction, an NYC startup, was one of eight 2022 Construction Startup Competition winners. Alex Bell, the co-founder, presented the company’s concrete building solution at the competition’s Pitchday in October 2022.
When we understand how to blur the expectations of spaces, and allow rooms to be used for varied, creative pursuits, we can not only design a stronger educational experience, but a stronger world.
Machine learning takes safety to the next level. Construction technology expert Michael “MC” Contreras shares how we’re training AI to make the jobsite even safer.
As architects, engineers, owners, and construction managers embrace innovation at all stages of the project process, the industry has also begun to reevaluate how these stakeholders partner to deliver top quality projects, on time and on schedule.
They’re featured in films, literature, and throughout pop culture…usually as a threat. But have no fear—robots are here to enhance our society rather than take it over. In the construction industry, robots can work alongside humans to help keep them safer and increase productivity. Here, Structure Tone Southwest operations manager Ryan Davis details their collaboration with Rugged Robotics, a Houston-based construction technology company, and the significance of robots on construction sites.
As one of the largest industries in the world, construction has a direct impact on our environment. It is a pivotal time in history as our industry is now focusing in on addressing this global challenge. It is a crisis that requires innovation. At STO Building Group, we are driven to meet our clients’ needs, which are increasingly including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.