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Slow-Speed Wheel Loader Chase Ends in OUI Arrest in Massachusetts
Equipment World·May 8, 2026

Slow-Speed Wheel Loader Chase Ends in OUI Arrest in Massachusetts

A Massachusetts operator was arrested for operating under the influence while operating a wheel loader during a low-speed police chase. The loader endangered public safety by nearly striking utility poles and swerving into oncoming traffic.

Workforce
QNX to bring hands-on demonstrations and new research to the Robotics Summit
Robotics Business Review·May 8, 2026

QNX to bring hands-on demonstrations and new research to the Robotics Summit

QNX will showcase hands-on demonstrations and new research at the Robotics Summit & Expo, with visitors invited to visit Booth 307 to see their latest offerings. The company is highlighting its technology for the robotics industry through direct engagement with attendees.

Robotics
Virginia DOT Awards $237M Contract to Widen I-81 Section
Equipment World·May 8, 2026

Virginia DOT Awards $237M Contract to Widen I-81 Section

Virginia DOT awarded a $237 million contract to widen a section of I-81 along the state's western border. The project is part of a larger $4 billion initiative to widen and modernize the interstate corridor.

Study Shows Nonunion Construction Workers Built the GOP Coalition
Construction Executive·May 8, 2026

Study Shows Nonunion Construction Workers Built the GOP Coalition

A Harris Poll survey across six battleground states shows nonunion construction workers have been a key voting bloc supporting the GOP, signaling potential political shifts ahead. The findings suggest construction labor demographics are becoming increasingly important to political strategy and outcomes.

Workforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Skyjack Introduces New Articulated Boom and Scissor Lifts
Equipment World·May 8, 2026

Skyjack Introduces New Articulated Boom and Scissor Lifts

Skyjack has launched new electric articulated boom lifts and introduced its tallest scissor lift model to its aerial work platform lineup. These additions expand the company's offerings for construction and maintenance work at various heights and reach requirements.

Electrification
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Nikon AM Synergy Secures New DLA Supply Chain Contract
3D Printing Industry·May 8, 2026

Nikon AM Synergy Secures New DLA Supply Chain Contract

Nikon AM Synergy has won a Defense Logistics Agency contract to supply additively manufactured parts directly to the US military through the JAMA IV pilot program. The DLA is using this pilot to test whether 3D printing can reliably support military supply chains at scale.

3D Printing
Construction Employment Rises By 9,000 In April As Nonresidential Hiring Offsets Residential Declines And Average Hourly Pay Rises To $38.73
AGC of America News·May 8, 2026

Construction Employment Rises By 9,000 In April As Nonresidential Hiring Offsets Residential Declines And Average Hourly Pay Rises To $38.73

Construction employment grew by 9,000 jobs in April as nonresidential building projects ramped up hiring despite continued weakness in residential construction. Average hourly wages climbed to $38.73, reflecting ongoing labor market pressures across the industry.

Workforce
Building a Safer Construction Industry Through Culture, Technology, and Innovation: BuiltWorlds Safety-Focused Playlist
BuiltWorlds·May 7, 2026

Building a Safer Construction Industry Through Culture, Technology, and Innovation: BuiltWorlds Safety-Focused Playlist

Construction safety practices are advancing through new jobsite technologies and cultural shifts that address industry priorities faster than before. The discussion encompasses how innovation and technology adoption are reshaping how companies approach worker protection on jobsites.

Safety
Trust, Then Speed
AGC of America News·May 8, 2026

Trust, Then Speed

Establishing trust in new construction technologies and processes is essential before prioritizing speed and efficiency gains. Companies that invest time in validation and team buy-in see better long-term adoption and safer project outcomes.

SafetyWorkforce
Hugging Face launches agentic toolkit for Reachy Mini
Robotics Business Review·May 7, 2026

Hugging Face launches agentic toolkit for Reachy Mini

Hugging Face has released an agentic toolkit that allows users to program the Reachy Mini robot by describing desired behaviors in plain English rather than writing code manually. The system automatically generates, tests, and deploys code to the robot, simplifying robotic automation for construction and other industries.

AI & MLRobotics
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Relevance in The AI Age
ENR Construction Technology·May 7, 2026

Relevance in The AI Age

A contractor demonstrated using an AI tool to automate daily report generation during a project review. The article explores how AI adoption is changing workflows and maintaining relevance in construction.

AI & MLWorkforce
Stellar Reveals Redesigned Tire Service Truck, Updated TMAX Truck
Equipment World·May 7, 2026

Stellar Reveals Redesigned Tire Service Truck, Updated TMAX Truck

Stellar has unveiled an upgraded TM4110/9000 tire service truck with multiple improvements to boost on-site efficiency. The company also released an updated 2026 TMAX mechanic truck with enhanced features for field crews.

Electrification
The New All Rounder Revopoint POP 4 3D Scanner Now on Kickstarter: Technical Specifications and Pricing
3D Printing Industry·May 7, 2026

The New All Rounder Revopoint POP 4 3D Scanner Now on Kickstarter: Technical Specifications and Pricing

Revopoint has launched the POP 4 3D scanner on Kickstarter, designed to capture precise geometry from physical parts including difficult surfaces like polished metal. The scanner addresses a common workflow gap for designers and manufacturers who need to convert existing components into digital files for replication or modification.

3D Printing
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Louisiana Begins $2.3B Replacement of I-10 Calcasieu Bridge
Equipment World·May 7, 2026

Louisiana Begins $2.3B Replacement of I-10 Calcasieu Bridge

Louisiana is launching a $2.3 billion replacement project for the I-10 Calcasieu Bridge, representing the state's largest-ever transportation infrastructure investment. The massive undertaking will require substantial workforce mobilization and coordination across multiple construction disciplines and phases.

Workforce
Podcast: Colin Angle discusses building companion robots with Familiar Machines & Magic
Robotics Business Review·May 7, 2026

Podcast: Colin Angle discusses building companion robots with Familiar Machines & Magic

iRobot co-founder Colin Angle is launching Familiar Machines to develop next-generation social companion robots. The venture aims to create robots that can assist with tasks and interaction in various settings.

RoboticsAI & ML
Volvo’s New Big Digger Revealed — The 56-Ton EC560 Excavator with 6-Yard Bucket
Equipment World·May 7, 2026

Volvo’s New Big Digger Revealed — The 56-Ton EC560 Excavator with 6-Yard Bucket

Volvo has unveiled the EC560, a 56-ton excavator featuring the largest bucket capacity in its class along with increased digging force and swing torque. The new model also includes a heavier counterweight to handle the expanded capabilities.

Brightpick to outline the path to lights-out warehouses at Robotics Summit
Robotics Business Review·May 7, 2026

Brightpick to outline the path to lights-out warehouses at Robotics Summit

Brightpick's CEO will present a practical roadmap for achieving fully autonomous warehouse operations at the Robotics Summit. The presentation focuses on the practical steps needed to move toward lights-out warehouses with minimal human intervention.

RoboticsAutonomy
Mecalac to Move North American Headquarters to Fayat Group Campus in S.C.
Equipment World·May 7, 2026

Mecalac to Move North American Headquarters to Fayat Group Campus in S.C.

Mecalac is relocating its North American headquarters to the Fayat Group campus in South Carolina. The move will strengthen parts support, training capabilities, and enable growth for the equipment manufacturer under its parent company.

Workforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Construction Hiring Still Exceptionally Slow in March
Construction Executive·May 7, 2026

Construction Hiring Still Exceptionally Slow in March

Construction companies continued their cautious hiring approach in March, adding jobs at a sluggish pace while also avoiding significant layoffs. The industry remains in a holding pattern—neither aggressively expanding payroll nor making major workforce reductions.

Workforce
Euler Gives Metal AM Operators Free Real-Time Build Visibility
3D Printing Industry·May 7, 2026

Euler Gives Metal AM Operators Free Real-Time Build Visibility

Euler Viewer, a free browser-based tool from an Icelandic startup, allows metal 3D printing operators to monitor laser powder bed fusion builds in real time without additional hardware. The software processes thousands of high-resolution images generated during each build to provide live visibility into the printing process.

3D Printing
Construction Spending Inches Up 0.6 Percent In March As Residential Gains Offset Continued Weakness In Manufacturing & Nonresidential Segments
AGC of America News·May 7, 2026

Construction Spending Inches Up 0.6 Percent In March As Residential Gains Offset Continued Weakness In Manufacturing & Nonresidential Segments

Construction spending grew modestly by 0.6 percent in March, with residential construction providing the primary boost to offset ongoing struggles in manufacturing and nonresidential sectors. The mixed results highlight continued challenges in commercial and industrial building despite steady residential demand.

Workforce
How Anthropic’s New Claude Connectors to 3D Design Tools Close the AM Coordination Gap
3D Printing Industry·May 7, 2026

How Anthropic’s New Claude Connectors to 3D Design Tools Close the AM Coordination Gap

Anthropic has released eight Claude AI connectors that allow users to control major 3D design software like Autodesk Fusion, Blender, and SketchUp through natural language commands. This integration enables engineers to create and iterate on 3D models more efficiently, bridging coordination gaps in additive manufacturing workflows.

AI & ML3D Printing
10 Road Construction Work Zone Safety Tips for Contractors
ConstructConnect·May 6, 2026

10 Road Construction Work Zone Safety Tips for Contractors

Road construction work zones are high-risk environments where moving traffic, heavy equipment, and workers operate in close proximity, requiring careful management. Every project needs a transportation management plan and site-specific safety program in place before work begins, along with proper personal protective equipment.

Safety
Johnson & Johnson completes clinical study for OTTAVA robotic surgical system
Robotics Business Review·May 6, 2026

Johnson & Johnson completes clinical study for OTTAVA robotic surgical system

Johnson & Johnson has completed clinical testing of its OTTAVA robotic surgical system, validating its compact design for use in smaller operating rooms. The system demonstrates the viability of bringing advanced robotic surgery capabilities to facilities with space constraints.

Robotics