A National Academies report recommends that airlines give flight attendants greater input on real-time cabin temperature decisions that could impact passenger and crew health and safety. The mandate came from Congress to assess how airlines can better incorporate crew expertise into operational decisions affecting working conditions.
Kraken Technology secured Series B funding to advance its uncrewed surface vessel technology for maritime and offshore applications. The company will use the capital to accelerate development and establish manufacturing operations across multiple global regions.
AI tools can significantly improve the speed and accuracy of construction contract development and review when used properly. Understanding the risks and limitations of AI is essential to maximize its benefits while protecting your projects.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a 3D printed flow battery cell that costs approximately £75 to manufacture, compared to £2,000–£3,000 for commercial equivalents. The university is releasing the design freely to laboratories worldwide to advance sustainable energy storage technology.
AI tools are emerging as a way to train construction professionals in soft skills like teamwork and collaboration that the industry has traditionally undervalued. These technologies can help prepare the next generation of workers for complex, high-value projects where communication and coordination are critical.
Magmotor has been manufacturing specialized motors for over 150 years, serving industries with demanding operational requirements. The company now offers custom motor systems designed specifically for robotics applications in construction and other sectors.
The Associated General Contractors of America successfully challenged a Department of Labor rule that would have expanded Davis-Bacon wage requirements to more federal construction projects. The court's decision limits the scope of prevailing wage rules, affecting labor costs and project bidding for contractors on federally funded work.
Johnson & Johnson unveiled the Ottava surgical robot, which features a built-in table design that reduces operating room footprint by 30-50% compared to traditional boom-and-cart systems. The novel architecture represents an advancement in surgical automation technology for medical facilities.
Emanuel Silva builds a profitable contracting business by taking on small jobs and phased projects that larger contractors avoid, such as window replacements, siding repairs, and incremental home improvements. This niche approach allows him to maintain steady work and customer relationships through multiple return visits over time.
Generalist's GEN-1 foundation model can now be trained to work with different robot hands and end effectors, allowing a single base model to control multiple robots. This advancement means construction crews could deploy the same AI system across various robotic equipment without retraining from scratch.
Construction activity leveled off in mid-2026 as the industry faced mixed signals in employment and spending patterns. Contractors maintained steady confidence despite the uncertain economic conditions affecting project momentum.
Time series databases enable robotic systems to efficiently process massive volumes of sensor data in real time, which is essential for managing complex construction equipment at scale. These specialized databases support AI-driven insights that help robotics teams optimize performance and maintain reliable system operations on job sites.
Miami-based Kind Designs closed a $10 million Pre-Series A funding round at a $70 million valuation to scale its 3D printed concrete seawalls that double as marine habitat structures. The company more than doubled its original $5 million fundraising target after investor interest reached nearly $20 million.
NEURA Robotics opened NEURA Gym RWTH Aachen in partnership with a German university to develop and train physical AI systems for real-world applications. The facility is one of 10 training centers NEURA is establishing to advance robotics capable of performing physical tasks.
Poly vapor retarders in wall assemblies can trap moisture and cause mildew growth in homes, as evidenced by mold appearing in a 28-unit Midwest townhome development just two years after construction. Proper enclosure design and vapor management are critical to preventing costly moisture-related damage and maintaining building durability.
Holiday Robotics secured $105M in funding for FRIDAY, a wheeled humanoid robot designed for dexterous manipulation tasks. The robot features a mobile base with hot-swappable batteries and an upper body capable of precise handling work.
SawStop's Compact Table Saw (CTS) features a blade-braking safety system designed to stop immediately upon skin contact, though the technology remains debated among carpenters. The reviewer explored this controversial saw despite hearing strong opinions from other construction professionals.
Suffolk is launching a new initiative to use artificial intelligence to improve design, scheduling, and construction processes on jobsites. The effort aims to modernize how construction projects are planned and executed through AI-assisted tools.
The National Athletic Trainers' Association released 48 evidence-based recommendations for employers to prevent heat illness on job sites, including developing heat illness prevention plans and establishing acclimatization protocols. Construction companies can use these guidelines to implement effective heat mitigation strategies and protect workers from heat-related injuries.
Travis Kalanick, Uber's former CEO, launched a new robotics startup called ATOMS and secured $1.7 billion in funding to develop physical automation for industrial applications. The company aims to use robotics technology to transform manufacturing and construction workflows.
The 2026 Construction Tech Awards, combining the Contractor's Choice and Tech Excellence Awards, recognize innovation across the global construction industry in four categories including preconstruction and other key areas. The awards celebrate companies advancing technology application throughout the built environment.
AMD has launched new embedded processors and AI modules designed to bring real-time control and unified memory capabilities to robotic systems in construction and industrial applications. These new offerings position AMD to compete directly with NVIDIA in the robotics market by enabling faster processing and smarter autonomous equipment on job sites.
The 2026 Construction Tech Awards, merging the Contractor's Choice and Tech Excellence Awards, recognize innovative solutions across four categories that advance technology in the global construction industry. The awards highlight the best applications of new technology throughout preconstruction and other phases of the built environment.
The EPA released a draft risk evaluation on June 16 identifying five chemicals that pose health risks to workers, including a flame retardant deemed to present unreasonable risk through air exposure. The agency is now seeking public feedback on these workplace chemical assessments.