Construction
Rob McManamy
DEWALT shifts to solve jobsite WiFi woes

Yesterday, DEWALT, accompanied by Procore, announced their new WiFi Mesh, which promises to increase wireless connectivity on the jobsite. We talked to two DEWALT executives about the new product — here's what they had to say.

DEWALT shifts to solve jobsite WiFi woes
Architecture + Design
Rob McManamy
Data-driven design propelling collaboration

"Data-driven design" suggests an impersonal, robotic process that replaces human creativity with cold numbers. But at our latest BuildIdeas Breakfast, we learned from IBM Watson and Detroit Mercy Hospital that it can mean greater customer satisfaction.

Data-driven design propelling collaboration
Business
Rob McManamy
Hawaii, Vermont, RI see clean energy surge

Despite wavering venture investment, the clean energy market is still growing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Here, the annual Clean Energy Trust Challenge gives us a welcome opportunity to check in on multiple, vibrant efforts to implement power innovation.

Hawaii, Vermont, RI see clean energy surge
Cities
Rob McManamy
Cities, data drive BW Summit conversations

If cities will yield the richest data upon which tomorrow's most consequential decisions will be based, then it is no surprise they were a recurring topic at last week's BuiltWorlds Summit. To see some of the actionable insights that were shared, read on.

Cities, data drive BW Summit conversations
Architecture + Design
Rob McManamy
Obamas unveil Presidential Center design

Just days after the former First Lady urged architects not to neglect inner cities, she and her husband came home to Chicago this week to reveal their vision for a $500-million community hub that they hope will reinvigorate a long-struggling community.   

Obamas unveil Presidential Center design

UI Labs

Meet the Final Four startups headed to the BW Summit

Meet the Final Four startups headed to the BW Summit

After four hard-fought rounds of head-to-head voting, Construction Robotics, GRIT Virtual Construction, PlanGrid, and Zlien have emerged as the four construction startups who will get the chance to pitch their ideas to investors.

Cityzenith’s Michael Jansen aims to map the entire built world

Cityzenith’s Michael Jansen aims to map the entire built world

The chairman and CEO is set to launch his company’s signature 5D Smart World software suite at the BuiltWorlds Summit on May 3. The product is a manipulable Google Earth for the AEC industry, offering the latest data on buildings and streets in 100 of the world’s biggest cities and counting and providing tools for designers and contractors to import data of their own.

8 companies bringing robotics and automation to construction

8 companies bringing robotics and automation to construction

In anticipation of our upcoming “Rise of the Machines Conference” on April 6, we take a look at a few of the participating firms working to mechanize and simplify the building process through a variety of innovations.

Universities engineer real-world system and product solutions

Universities engineer real-world system and product solutions

From sustainable stormwater management and the mapping of urban infrastructure to “Smart Trees” and net-zero tiny homes, institutions such as Northwestern University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois–Champaign-Urbana are seeking to bringing innovative design solutions to market

Dig smarter: Tech would map underground infrastructure

Dig smarter: Tech would map underground infrastructure

Broad digital shoulders. Chicago's public-private innovation accelerator, UI LABS, has unveiled a new tech platform via its City Digital partners that may change how urban infrastructure everywhere is built and maintained more efficiently and cost-effectively.

UI Labs launches CityWorks urban incubator

UI Labs launches CityWorks urban incubator

UI LABS has launched CityWorks, a consortium of public and private heavy hitters aiming to create a global hub of infrastructure innovation. Created in collaboration with the City of Chicago, local universities and civic partners, CityWorks' founding members also include Microsoft, Accenture, ComEd, and Siemens.

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Goose Island 2.0 panel eyes more sustainable future

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Goose Island 2.0 panel eyes more sustainable future

Cities are forecast to grow exponentially in the coming decades. So urban redevelopment needs to be both 'smart' and sustainable. On March 17, CBRE's Dan Lyne will moderate an expert panel that includes J. Michael Drew of Structured Development, R2's Matt Garrison, and UI Labs' Caralynn Nowinski, all discussing Goose Island's role in that larger picture.

City breaks ground on collaborative digital manufacturing hub

City breaks ground on collaborative digital manufacturing hub

With assists from both the state and federal governments, Chicago this week took a major step toward fusing its manufacturing past with its tech future.

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