A UK safety agency report warns that skills gaps in the workforce create serious workplace safety and health risks on job sites. Construction professionals need stronger training and competency standards to prevent accidents and injuries.
Ropedia secured $22 million in funding to expand its data collection platform for robot training, which uses a head-mounted device called HOMIE equipped with 360-degree cameras to capture first-person perspectives. The technology aims to improve how robots learn and perform tasks by collecting real-world training data at scale.
Bidding on animal care facility projects requires understanding specialized construction requirements beyond standard building practices. Contractors must account for unique operational needs, regulatory compliance, and design considerations specific to animal housing and care environments.
Battery storage construction is surging to support renewable energy expansion and meet growing AI-driven power demands, with 24.3 GW of new capacity starting up in 2026. This storage infrastructure boom is becoming essential for getting solar and other renewable sources online faster across the U.S.
The Associated General Contractors of America has endorsed Keith Sonderling as their candidate for Secretary of Labor. This endorsement signals the construction industry's priorities for federal labor policy and workforce development.
Physical AI is advancing autonomous systems that can perceive job sites, make real-time decisions, and perform tasks without constant human direction. These capabilities are reshaping how robots and equipment operate in construction environments.
Congress approved a short-term funding bill to keep federal operations running and avoid a government shutdown. The measure provides temporary funding while lawmakers continue negotiations on a longer-term budget agreement.
The Netherlands' largest contractors are collaborating together to address shared industry challenges, breaking the traditional competitive silence in construction. This unique partnership demonstrates that collective problem-solving can help the industry advance further than individual companies working in isolation.
Building product manufacturers can win specifications by engaging architects during the design phase, before specs are finalized. Construction data platforms with phase filtering help identify projects at the earliest stages when decisions are still being made.
Medtronic is launching an AI compute platform called Touch Surgery designed for operating rooms that supports pre-operative planning, intra-operative guidance, and post-operative analysis. The platform enables remote tele-mentoring and tele-proctoring to enhance surgical procedures and training.
NIOSH has released new guidance to help employers and workers reduce exposure to wildfire smoke, which poses a major health hazard across much of the United States. Construction teams can implement protective measures by coordinating efforts between management and workers to limit smoke inhalation on job sites.
Injured worker recovery in construction requires more than medical care—supervisors need proper training to support employees throughout their rehabilitation. Construction companies that equip their leaders with recovery support strategies can improve outcomes and help workers return to full productivity.
The House Education and Workforce Committee passed H.R. 6213, legislation that would block OSHA from establishing workplace heat illness and injury prevention standards. The bill aims to prevent the federal agency from issuing or publishing any heat-related safety regulations.
Purdue University researchers developed a 3D-printed, open-source groundwater sensor that costs a few hundred dollars compared to thousands for commercial alternatives, making advanced monitoring tools accessible to more organizations. The innovation allows the USGS and other agencies to deploy more sensors across projects without the significant expense of specialized equipment.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration is offering up to $250,000 in Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants for organizations to develop educational and training programs. Applications are due by August 31 and are open to states, territories, and public and private organizations.
Trinity College Dublin researchers have 3D printed Ireland's first cement-free geopolymer, a construction material made largely from industrial waste that eliminates Portland cement. The new material significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete, according to preliminary estimates from the research team.
U.K.-based Humanoid has secured $152 million in Series A funding at a $1.35 billion valuation to scale its AI-driven industrial robots. The company is expanding commercial deployments of its robotic systems for industrial applications.
Commercial construction leads services are software platforms that consolidate public and private project databases into a single searchable tool, eliminating the need for cold calling and manual permit searches. These services help contractors maintain a consistent pipeline by surfacing relevant bidding opportunities in real time.
Vicarious Surgical, a surgical robotics company that raised approximately $300 million including through a 2021 SPAC merger, is officially shutting down. The closure marks another setback in the robotic surgery space despite significant investor backing.
The Chemical Safety Board is investigating a fatal explosion involving hydrogen sulfide and recommends that employers deploy gas monitoring equipment to detect hazardous chemical releases. Proper gas detection technology can help prevent similar incidents and protect workers on job sites.
Generative Bionics has introduced the Gene.01 humanoid robot equipped with full-body tactile sensing across its entire surface. This sensory capability allows the robot to detect human presence and respond quickly, potentially improving collaboration and safety on job sites.
Commercial motor vehicle inspectors across North America will conduct brake system inspections during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Brake Safety Week from August 23-29. Inspectors will perform both announced and unannounced inspections with special attention to brake drums on trucks and buses.
National Geographic opened a new Museum of Exploration in downtown Washington D.C., featuring exhibits and interactive experiences centered on exploration and discovery. The museum hosted a press preview with notable explorers including the founder of the Nat Geo Photo Ark and the discoverer of the RMS Titanic.
Michigan Senate Bill 948 would prohibit employers from requiring workers to respond to work communications outside of scheduled hours, modernizing labor standards for the state. The bill addresses the growing issue of after-hours digital connectivity demands on workers in all industries.