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Maintaining Humanity Amidst the Rise of AI
Construction Executive·Aug 18, 2026

Maintaining Humanity Amidst the Rise of AI

Managing AI effectively in construction requires leadership commitment from the C-suite, not just technical expertise from individual employees. Top-down oversight ensures consistent adoption and maintains company culture as AI becomes more prevalent in operations.

AI & MLWorkforce
Colorado House Bill HB 26-1311, Concerning the Use of a Bond in Lieu of Retainage In Construction Contracts
AGC of America News·Aug 18, 2026

Colorado House Bill HB 26-1311, Concerning the Use of a Bond in Lieu of Retainage In Construction Contracts

Colorado HB 26-1311 allows contractors to use a bond in place of retainage in construction contracts, potentially improving cash flow for construction firms. This change gives project owners and contractors an alternative to the traditional practice of withholding a percentage of contract payments until project completion.

Workforce
WEEKLY DISPATCH
$200M Funding Round Set for Automated Equipment Startup Gravis Robotics
ENR Construction Technology·Aug 17, 2026

$200M Funding Round Set for Automated Equipment Startup Gravis Robotics

Swiss-based Gravis Robotics secured $200M in funding to expand its autonomous and machine-assist equipment systems across global jobsites. The investment represents a major commitment to automated technology that's reshaping how construction work gets done on the ground.

RoboticsAutonomy
Five years of operation shape Diligent Robotics rollout of Moxi 2.0
Robotics Business Review·Aug 17, 2026

Five years of operation shape Diligent Robotics rollout of Moxi 2.0

Diligent Robotics is deploying Moxi 2.0, an updated hospital robot, to major health systems after five years of operational refinement. While this advance applies to healthcare settings rather than construction, it demonstrates how robotics technology evolves through real-world deployment experience.

RoboticsWorkforce
AI in Preconstruction: Why Rewiring Matters More Than Speed
ConstructConnect·Aug 17, 2026

AI in Preconstruction: Why Rewiring Matters More Than Speed

Many construction companies adopt AI tools without restructuring their workflows and processes to actually benefit from them. Real value comes from rewiring how teams work, not just implementing faster technology.

AI & MLWorkforce
Surgeons use da Vinci surgical robot to perform common cardiac surgery
Robotics Business Review·Aug 17, 2026

Surgeons use da Vinci surgical robot to perform common cardiac surgery

Surgeons at El Camino Health Heart and Vascular Institute are now using Intuitive's da Vinci surgical robot to perform cardiac procedures. Robotic-assisted surgery demonstrates how automation technology can enhance precision in specialized medical applications.

RoboticsAutonomy
New Report: 36% of Contractor Members Utilize Drones on Jobsites
Construction Executive·Aug 17, 2026

New Report: 36% of Contractor Members Utilize Drones on Jobsites

According to a new ABC report, 36% of contractor members are currently using drones on their jobsites. The data highlights growing adoption of drone technology across the construction industry for jobsite operations.

Robotics
How Generalist uses human demonstration data for robot learning
Robotics Business Review·Aug 17, 2026

How Generalist uses human demonstration data for robot learning

Generalist and other robotics companies are using human demonstration data and the Universal Manipulation Interface to train robots to perform construction and manipulation tasks. This approach accelerates the development of robot behaviors by learning from real-world human examples rather than programming each action individually.

RoboticsAI & ML
Senators trying again on bill aimed at banning asbestos
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 17, 2026

Senators trying again on bill aimed at banning asbestos

Sen. Jeff Merkley has reintroduced a bill to ban commercial and industrial asbestos use, this time with Republican co-sponsorship from Sen. John Curtis. The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2026 marks a bipartisan effort to restrict a material long associated with serious health hazards in construction.

MaterialsSafety
Gravis Robotics raises $200M for autonomous construction
Robotics Business Review·Aug 17, 2026

Gravis Robotics raises $200M for autonomous construction

Gravis Robotics secured $200M in funding to advance its autonomous construction equipment technology, which uses AI and custom hardware to automate excavators and other machinery. The company plans to expand its autonomous solutions globally across the construction industry.

RoboticsAutonomy
Spate of worker deaths prompts Michigan OSHA to call for heightened safety focus
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 17, 2026

Spate of worker deaths prompts Michigan OSHA to call for heightened safety focus

Michigan OSHA is pushing for stronger safety practices after more than 20 worker deaths occurred in the state this year. The agency is emphasizing hazard recognition, training, and incident prevention as critical measures to reduce workplace fatalities.

Workforce
Spotlight Your Achievements! AGC Launches Awards Season with the Opening of Build America, AGC in the Community, Innovation, Culture of CARE and the Bowen Prize
AGC of America News·Aug 17, 2026

Spotlight Your Achievements! AGC Launches Awards Season with the Opening of Build America, AGC in the Community, Innovation, Culture of CARE and the Bowen Prize

The AGC has opened its awards season, launching five major award programs including Build America, AGC in the Community, Innovation, Culture of CARE, and the Bowen Prize to recognize excellence across the construction industry. These awards provide opportunities for construction professionals and firms to showcase their achievements and contributions to the field.

Workforce
FMCSA names Steve Dowling chief safety officer
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 17, 2026

FMCSA names Steve Dowling chief safety officer

Steve Dowling has been appointed chief safety officer at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, bringing over 35 years of experience in transportation safety. In this role, Dowling will oversee the agency's safety programs and initiatives for motor carriers.

Workforce
How robotics is revolutionizing stroke rehabilitation
Robotics Business Review·Aug 16, 2026

How robotics is revolutionizing stroke rehabilitation

Robotics combined with AI and human-centered care is improving outcomes in stroke rehabilitation. Bioxtreme's CEO highlights how this technological synergy is transforming patient recovery processes.

RoboticsAI & ML
WEEKLY DISPATCH
RIC Robotics printers build out Colorado’s first 3D printed metro district
3D Printing Industry·Aug 15, 2026

RIC Robotics printers build out Colorado’s first 3D printed metro district

RIC Robotics is building Cleora, a 55-acre 3D printed residential community in Salida, Colorado, with seven homes already completed and sold. The development uses autonomous construction equipment and is expected to become one of the world's largest planned 3D printed residential projects.

Robotics3D Printing
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Why robots that can’t communicate naturally won’t be adopted
Robotics Business Review·Aug 15, 2026

Why robots that can’t communicate naturally won’t be adopted

Robots need natural communication abilities, including hearing, to be practical for job sites and gain worker acceptance. Developers who ignore this critical aspect will struggle to get their robots adopted in real-world construction environments.

RoboticsWorkforce
70 Years on the Open Road
AGC of America News·Aug 15, 2026

70 Years on the Open Road

A profile examines seven decades of innovation and evolution in highway construction and infrastructure development. The piece highlights how open-road construction techniques and equipment have transformed industry practices over time.

Materials
How Protolabs turns CAD files into parts in under 24 hours
Robotics Business Review·Aug 14, 2026

How Protolabs turns CAD files into parts in under 24 hours

Protolabs uses AI, simulation, and design-for-manufacturing techniques to convert CAD files into finished production parts in less than 24 hours. The company's approach combines advanced software analysis with rapid manufacturing capabilities to accelerate the prototyping and production process.

AI & ML3D Printing
The Future Is Fiber
AGC of America News·Aug 15, 2026

The Future Is Fiber

Fiber optic technology is becoming essential infrastructure for construction sites, enabling real-time data transmission and connectivity for smart equipment and monitoring systems. High-speed fiber networks support autonomous machinery, IoT sensors, and digital project management tools that improve efficiency and safety on job sites.

AutonomyMaterials
WEEKLY DISPATCH
The End of Bit Switching? How Game Changing Drill-Bit Technology Tackles Multiple Metals
JLC Online·Aug 14, 2026

The End of Bit Switching? How Game Changing Drill-Bit Technology Tackles Multiple Metals

New drill-bit technology is designed to work effectively across multiple metal types, potentially eliminating the need to swap between specialized bits for different materials. This innovation could save time on job sites by reducing the guesswork around selecting the right bit for steel, stainless, and other hard metals.

Materials
By Design
AGC of America News·Aug 15, 2026

By Design

Neros Technologies raises $250M to deploy its defense drones by the end of 2026
Robotics Business Review·Aug 14, 2026

Neros Technologies raises $250M to deploy its defense drones by the end of 2026

Neros Technologies secured $250M in funding to commercialize its defense drone platforms, including the Archer AI and Bandit systems designed for multi-asset control. The company plans to deploy these autonomous systems by the end of 2026.

RoboticsAutonomy
WEEKLY DISPATCH
Senate bill targets construction industry’s ‘tragically high’ suicide rate
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 14, 2026

Senate bill targets construction industry’s ‘tragically high’ suicide rate

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto introduced legislation aimed at addressing the construction industry's significantly elevated suicide rate through enhanced prevention efforts. The bill recognizes construction as one of the sectors most affected by suicide and seeks to implement support measures for workers.

Workforce
MSHA wants more feedback on its mine roof control and ventilation proposals
Safety+Health Magazine·Aug 14, 2026

MSHA wants more feedback on its mine roof control and ventilation proposals

The Mine Safety and Health Administration has reopened the comment period for proposed rules on mine roof control and ventilation plan approval criteria that were initially published in July 2025. MSHA is seeking additional feedback from stakeholders before finalizing these safety standards.

Safety