Skip to content
AllAI & MLRoboticsAutonomy3D PrintingElectrificationSafetyWorkforceMaterialsEDITOR'S PICKWEEKLY DISPATCH

Construction Economics for May 25, 2026
Engineering News-Record·May 20, 2026

Construction Economics for May 25, 2026

ENR publishes its monthly 20-city average cost indexes tracking construction wages and material prices as of May 25, 2026. Historical data and detailed breakdowns for all 20 cities are available on ENR.com/economics.

Materials
Why AI Is a Labor Cost, Not a Software Cost
Construction Executive·May 20, 2026

Why AI Is a Labor Cost, Not a Software Cost

AI tools should be evaluated as labor-replacing investments similar to heavy equipment purchases, not treated as typical software expenses. Construction companies need to account for AI's impact on workforce costs and productivity when making procurement decisions.

AI & MLWorkforce
Rocket Lab’s 3D Printed Engine Hits 1,000 Units
3D Printing Industry·May 20, 2026

Rocket Lab’s 3D Printed Engine Hits 1,000 Units

Rocket Lab has produced its 1,000th Rutherford engine at its Long Beach facility, demonstrating that 3D printing has matured into a reliable manufacturing process for aerospace applications. This milestone shows additive manufacturing can scale for mission-critical components in the commercial space industry.

3D Printing
How Employee Ownership Empowers Construction Workers and Local Communities
Construction Executive·May 20, 2026

How Employee Ownership Empowers Construction Workers and Local Communities

Employee ownership in construction creates a cultural shift that gives companies a competitive advantage while empowering workers and strengthening local communities. When workers have a stake in the business, they're more invested in quality, safety, and long-term success.

Workforce
K3D Adds Two MetalFab Systems as Metal AM Capacity Expands
3D Printing Industry·May 20, 2026

K3D Adds Two MetalFab Systems as Metal AM Capacity Expands

K3D, a Dutch metal 3D printing service provider, has added two MetalFab systems from Additive Industries, bringing its total installation to six systems across two locations. The expansion increases the company's industrial metal additive manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand.

3D Printing
CFMC 2026 Registration Is Now Open
AGC of America News·May 20, 2026

CFMC 2026 Registration Is Now Open

CFMC 2026 registration is now available for construction professionals looking to attend the conference. Interested attendees can sign up to secure their spot at the event.

GoEngineer Acquires SKA, Expanding Footprint in Latin America
3D Printing Industry·May 20, 2026

GoEngineer Acquires SKA, Expanding Footprint in Latin America

GoEngineer, a major engineering solutions provider, has acquired SKA to expand its presence in Latin America and strengthen its SOLIDWORKS and engineering technology offerings in the region. SKA will continue operating under its name as part of GoEngineer's growing portfolio of authorized partnerships.

3D Printing
AGC Seeks Information on Buy America
AGC of America News·May 20, 2026

AGC Seeks Information on Buy America

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is gathering information from members regarding Buy America compliance requirements and impacts on construction projects. The organization plans to use this feedback to inform industry advocacy and guidance on federal procurement regulations.

Materials
Axtra3D Launches KeyModel Ultra Ivory for Lumia X1 in Dental Materials Partnership with Keystone
3D Printing Industry·May 20, 2026

Axtra3D Launches KeyModel Ultra Ivory for Lumia X1 in Dental Materials Partnership with Keystone

Axtra3D has introduced KeyModel Ultra Ivory, a dental resin material designed for its Lumia X1 3D printing system in partnership with Keystone Industries. The new material expands the company's high-speed SLA printing capabilities for dental applications.

3D Printing
AGC Recommends Changes to the Nationwide Clean Water Act Permits
AGC of America News·May 20, 2026

AGC Recommends Changes to the Nationwide Clean Water Act Permits

The Associated General Contractors of America is pushing for modifications to how the EPA administers Clean Water Act permits that affect construction projects nationwide. The recommended changes aim to streamline the permitting process and reduce regulatory burdens on contractors.

Materials
Carfulan Group Reports Nearly £1 Million In Orders At MACH
3D Printing Industry·May 20, 2026

Carfulan Group Reports Nearly £1 Million In Orders At MACH

Carfulan Group, a UK advanced manufacturing solutions provider, landed nearly £1 million in new orders at the MACH exhibition, marking its strongest showing at the event. The deals span multiple business units including Metrios, which specializes in shopfloor measurement systems.

Robotics
House Makes First Move on Highway Bill
AGC of America News·May 20, 2026

House Makes First Move on Highway Bill

The House has initiated action on legislation to fund and improve highway infrastructure across the country. This move represents the first step in what is typically a lengthy legislative process to authorize and appropriate funds for transportation projects.

WorkforceMaterials
Life Science Building Boom Gives Way to a More Selective Market
Engineering News-Record·May 19, 2026

Life Science Building Boom Gives Way to a More Selective Market

The life science construction market that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic is now cooling, with speculative lab development slowing significantly. Contractors are increasingly focusing on biomanufacturing and specialized facilities where there's demonstrable demand.

Results are in: Survey Finds Growing Safety Risks in Highway Work Zones
AGC of America News·May 20, 2026

Results are in: Survey Finds Growing Safety Risks in Highway Work Zones

A new survey reveals increasing safety hazards affecting workers in highway construction zones, highlighting vulnerabilities that demand immediate attention from contractors and safety managers. Growing risks in these high-traffic environments underscore the need for enhanced protective measures and better hazard management on active job sites.

Safety
Maryland Revises Key Bridge Rebuild Strategy
Engineering News-Record·May 19, 2026

Maryland Revises Key Bridge Rebuild Strategy

The Maryland Transportation Authority has reset its procurement process for the Key Bridge's main span rebuild following an initial review. Construction on the main span is scheduled to begin this summer under the revised strategy.

Regal Rexnord to bring its motion control portfolio to the Robotics Summit
Robotics Business Review·May 19, 2026

Regal Rexnord to bring its motion control portfolio to the Robotics Summit

Regal Rexnord will showcase its motion control products at the Robotics Summit, demonstrating how its unified motion ecosystem can be integrated into modern robotic system design. The company's portfolio addresses the growing need for advanced motion control solutions in construction robotics and automation.

RoboticsAutonomy
House Lays Out Multiyear Transportation Funding Plans in BUILD America 250
Engineering News-Record·May 19, 2026

House Lays Out Multiyear Transportation Funding Plans in BUILD America 250

The House has unveiled the BUILD America 250 proposal, which would succeed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and reshape how federal infrastructure funding is distributed. The plan signals potential changes to federal investment priorities and the mechanisms used to allocate construction funding going forward.

Worker Fatigue: The Overlooked Hazard Driving Injuries and Rework
Construction Executive·May 19, 2026

Worker Fatigue: The Overlooked Hazard Driving Injuries and Rework

Worker fatigue directly increases injury rates and rework costs on job sites, making it a critical safety and productivity issue that demands active management. Treating fatigue as a risk control measure—not just a wellness perk—protects both workers and project timelines while safeguarding the bottom line.

SafetyWorkforce
University of Illinois Team Is Engineering the Fix for the AI Heat Crisis
3D Printing Industry·May 19, 2026

University of Illinois Team Is Engineering the Fix for the AI Heat Crisis

Mechanical engineers at the University of Illinois have developed a new chip cooling method that could significantly reduce the energy data centers spend on thermal management. The approach uses a mathematical design algorithm and is published in Cell Reports Physical Science.

AI & MLMaterials
May Autodesk Forma Construction Releases – Built for What’s Next
Autodesk Construction Cloud Blog·May 19, 2026

May Autodesk Forma Construction Releases – Built for What’s Next

Autodesk Construction Cloud has been rebranded under the Autodesk Forma industry cloud umbrella. Related Autodesk Construction Cloud products are being updated to reflect the new Forma brand alignment.

Kato's Largest Rotating Crawler Carrier Hits the U.S.: the IC110R
Equipment World·May 19, 2026

Kato's Largest Rotating Crawler Carrier Hits the U.S.: the IC110R

Kato has introduced the IC110R, its largest rotating crawler carrier model, to the U.S. market with a 12-ton capacity and 257-horsepower Cummins engine. The machine's 360-degree rotating bed is designed to boost on-site productivity for heavy equipment transport and placement.

Digital Builder Ep 142: What’s Next for Construction Tech?
Autodesk Construction Cloud Blog·May 19, 2026

Digital Builder Ep 142: What’s Next for Construction Tech?

Construction innovation relies on multiple stakeholders—from founders identifying problems to field teams testing solutions—working together to drive industry change. Investors play a critical role in shaping which technologies actually get adopted and scaled across the construction sector.

Workforce
Improve Somatic Awareness to Increase Construction Workforce Safety
Construction Executive·May 19, 2026

Improve Somatic Awareness to Increase Construction Workforce Safety

Somatic awareness training helps construction workers build mental resilience against daily workplace stress, which directly improves safety outcomes on job sites. Developing these brain-based techniques strengthens a company's overall safety culture and reduces incident risk.

WorkforceSafety
JCB Pursues World Speed Record With Its New Hydrogen Engines in 32-Foot Car
Equipment World·May 19, 2026

JCB Pursues World Speed Record With Its New Hydrogen Engines in 32-Foot Car

JCB is building a 32-foot hydrogen-powered vehicle called the Hydromax designed to break the world speed record by exceeding 350 mph. The company is developing new hydrogen internal combustion engines to power the attempt, marking a significant move toward alternative fuel technology in heavy equipment.

Electrification