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.
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.
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has opened its awards season, recognizing excellence across five categories: Build America, AGC in the Community, Innovation, Culture of CARE, and the Bowen Prize. The awards program highlights outstanding achievements and contributions from construction firms and professionals across the industry.
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.
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.
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.
Fiber-based materials and fiber optic technology are advancing construction capabilities through improved structural performance and real-time monitoring systems. These innovations enable stronger, lighter buildings while providing data connectivity for smart construction sites and infrastructure management.
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.
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.
A construction professional reflects on seven decades of experience working in the field, sharing insights gained from evolving job sites and changing industry practices. The long career perspective offers valuable lessons for current and future workers navigating the construction industry.
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.
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.
3D Systems received a $9 million contract extension from the U.S. Air Force to continue development of its GEN-II DMP-1000 large-format metal 3D printer over the next two years. The funding will support the final phase of the Advanced Technology Demonstrator program to complete the technology.
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.
Data centers, power infrastructure, and healthcare are driving the fastest construction growth in 2026, with data centers showing the strongest contractor confidence at +57%. These booming sectors are creating significant demand for construction workers, though backlogs in certain areas present risks for project timelines and labor availability.
The National Safety Council is surveying employers to understand how they're managing serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) related to contractor work. The survey targets both organizations that hire contractors and those operating as contractors to gather data on SIF prevention practices.
A custom walnut vanity was built to match existing bathroom cabinets in both material and design character. The project demonstrates custom cabinetry craftsmanship with detailed steps for constructing the face frame.
GreenVibe's concrete sensors provide real-time measurements during curing that revealed insights missed by traditional lab testing methods. A costly high-rise repair project convinced the team that embedded sensor data could improve concrete quality control and prevent future structural issues.
Robotics companies going public have multiple pathways available beyond traditional IPOs, including SPAC mergers and reverse mergers, each with distinct benefits. Agility's recent SPAC deal demonstrates the growing viability of non-traditional routes for robotics firms to reach public markets.
Construction input prices remained flat in July but are still 7.4% higher compared to the same month last year. Materials costs continue to outpace inflation despite the month-to-month pause in price increases.
Meshy released Meshy 7, an updated image-to-3D model that converts 2D images into 3D assets for construction visualization and planning. The company introduced a new benchmark called alignment that measures how accurately generated 3D models match their source images, setting a new standard for quality in the industry.
The Associated General Contractors is hosting a safety and health town hall on September 2 to discuss industry concerns and best practices. Construction professionals can expect to hear updates on regulations, hazard management, and worker protection strategies relevant to their jobsites.
Heartwood is the darker, non-living wood at the center of a tree log that provides structural support as the tree ages. Natural chemicals accumulate in heartwood to resist decay, making it a durable material for construction applications.