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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.