ENGINEERING TECH, CONSTRUCTION
Canvas | March 17, 2023
Hilti announces a strategic partnership with Canvas, a construction robotics company that has developed a robotic drywalling solution aiming to empower people to build in bold new ways.
The partnership marks the beginning of a significant new step in robotics innovation after Hilti had launched the Jaibot, the world’s first semi-autonomous ceiling drilling robot in 2020. This collaboration brings together leaders in intelligent jobsite robotics who share a common vision: that robotic tools will unlock vastly untapped potential and drive a new era of productivity and safety for skilled trade workers.
Canvas, headquartered in San Francisco and founded in 2017 by veterans of Boston Dynamics, MIT and Stanford, leverages advances in collaborative robotics and machine learning to build a new class of tools for skilled tradespeople that harness the power of AI and machine learning. To date, Canvas has focused on drywall finishing which, studies have shown, has among the highest prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder cases, with as many as one in four workers experiencing such effects.
Canvas’ robot can apply both level 5 and level 4 drywall finishes in a fraction of the time, and at a higher level of safety and reliability, compared to similar traditional methods. In contrast to manual application, the robot applies a single consistent layer of joint compound over wet tape and telescopes to 15.5 feet to do the vast majority of the work at height. It reduces repetitive motion injuries and captures 99.9% of the dust produced by sanding.
As part of the partnership, Hilti will assume the manufacturing responsibilities for future Canvas systems based on the proven Jaibot platform, giving Canvas a reliable and scalable global supply to meet the huge demand for its finishing robots.
“At Hilti, our purpose is making construction better. We do this by focusing our resources on innovative hardware, software and services that help to increase contractor productivity, worker health & safety, and sustainability,” said Thomas Hillbrand, Member of Hilti’s Executive Board. “Our shared values bring Hilti and Canvas together—and we’re excited to support Canvas in reimagining better ways of working through the power of robotics and AI.”
“It’s extremely validating that the demand for our drywall finishing robot quickly outstretched our capacity to produce this year,” says Canvas’ CEO, Kevin Albert. “Contractors continue to struggle with rising costs and labor shortages. The demand we see is testament to the critical need for new tools in the industry to address these challenges and empower our skilled workforce. We’re excited to announce this partnership which continues to push the boundary of what is possible and positions Canvas to meet current and future demand for our machines globally.”
The Canvas-Hilti partnership positions the construction robotics company to scale globally in an industry that is ripe for change. The partnership will enable Canvas to help the drywall industry solve its chronic and growing labor problem, while also making the job site cleaner, safer and less strenuous for the people doing the work.
About Canvas
Canvas is a construction robotics company whose mission is to enable people to build in bold new ways. The Canvas system provides a flexible approach to drywall finishing, combining the skills and expertise of trained workers with technology that, together, enable drywall finishing work to be done better, faster, safer, and more consistently. Canvas has been recognized by Forbes and Fortune on their top AI and start-up lists, respectively, and recently won the Pro Tools Innovation Award for Technology/Robotics.
About Hilti Group
The Hilti Group supplies the worldwide construction and energy industries with technologically leading products, systems, software and services. With about 32,000 team members in over 120 countries, the company stands for direct customer relationships, quality and innovation. Hilti generated annual sales of more than CHF 6.3 billion in 2022. The headquarters of the Hilti Group have been located in Schaan, Liechtenstein, since its founding in 1941. The company is privately owned by the Martin Hilti Family Trust, which ensures its long-term continuity. The Hilti Group’s strategic orientation is based on a caring and performance-oriented culture and the goals of creating enthusiastic customers and building a better future.
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ENGINEERING TECH, CONSTRUCTION
Graphisoft | March 21, 2023
Graphisoft, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software solutions developer for architecture and engineering, today introduced Archicad Collaborate. This subscription-based offer combines award-winning Archicad for architectural design with BIMcloud SaaS for fast, efficient, secure access to shared projects in real-time — all at an affordable price point.
Unlike other BIM software providers that charge additional fees for cloud services, Archicad Collaborate lowers the barrier to entry by offering award-winning BIMcloud SaaS as part of the Archicad subscription price in the user-friendly online Graphisoft Store. "Customers demand powerful solutions that are easy to acquire, learn, and use," said Márton Kiss, Vice President of Product Success at Graphisoft. "Archicad Collaborate allows practices to acquire both Archicad and BIMcloud SaaS at a price even smaller firms can afford."
Archicad Collaborate includes:
Archicad— a robust design solution with a world-renowned user-friendly interface that makes it the most efficient and intuitive BIM software on the market.
BIMcloud Software as a Service — users access their data via a secure cloud solution for fast, flexible, secure access to shared projects in real time.
Exclusive data and collaboration services that maximize the value of the subscription, including access to Graphisoft Learn courses and training materials; emergency licenses and technical support; Redshift by Maxon, a high-end rendering tool; PARAM-O, a parametric object design tool; the Library Part Maker add-on for creating detailed Library objects; and Python API for customized and automated Archicad workflows.
When asked about the benefits of using Archicad with BIMcloud SaaS, Peter Snellman, Partner and Design Director at Tillberg Design said, "Working on the same Archicad model from different countries, we have fewer problems."
"With Archicad Collaborate, you can start your project on BIMcloud SaaS, a secure cloud platform built for sharing and collaborating with your team — without additional hardware investments or IT experience," Márton Kiss added. "Using Archicad's powerful and proven tools, you can design great buildings with your team and share them with customers and clients — anywhere in the world!"
About Graphisoft
Graphisoft® empowers teams to design great buildings through award-winning software solutions, learning programs, and professional services for the AEC industry. Our award-winning products and solutions support OPEN BIM for workflow transparency, longevity, and data accessibility for built assets. Archicad®, the architects' BIM software of choice, offers a complete end-to-end design and documentation workflow for architectural and integrated architectural and engineering practices of any size. BIMx®, the most popular mobile and web BIM app, extends the BIM experience to include all stakeholders in the building design, delivery, and operations lifecycle. BIMcloud®, the AEC industry's first and most advanced cloud-based team collaboration solution, makes real-time collaboration possible across the globe regardless of the size of the project and the speed or quality of the team members' network connection. DDScad solutions support users with intelligent Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) design tools, integrated calculations, and comprehensive documentation of all building system disciplines. DDScad Architect & Construction is developed for architects, building contractors, and industrialized timber frame housing manufacturers in Scandinavian markets. Graphisoft is part of the Nemetschek Group.
About Archicad
Design projects of any size with Archicad's powerful built-in tools and user-friendly interface that make it the most efficient and intuitive BIM software on the market. Graphisoft's award-winning software solution supports OPEN BIM for workflow transparency, longevity, and data accessibility for built assets. Featuring out-of-the-box design documentation, one-click publishing, photo-realistic rendering, and best-in-class analysis, Archicad lets architects focus on what they do best: design great buildings. Discover Archicad.
About BIMcloud SaaS
BIMcloud Software as a Service enables real-time, secure teamwork between architects and other professionals in the cloud. With a BIMcloud SaaS subscription, users can access their dedicated BIMcloud hosted and managed by Graphisoft. No IT setup is required – simply launch the service to share Teamwork projects in the cloud.
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CONSTRUCTION
UES | March 16, 2023
Universal Engineering Sciences (UES), a renowned engineering and consulting firm, acquired Tampa-based Faulkner Engineering Services, an environmental service, geotechnical engineering, and building materials testing firm on March 14, 2023. This acquisition has enhanced expertise of UES in Florida. Faulkner Engineering works with engineers, design build and site contractors, developers, FDOT, and government agencies. The projects include municipal, industrial, commercial and infrastructure projects throughout Florida. For example, the corporation supported the Pasco Counties' FL DOT S.R. 54 Widening Project, MacDill AFB Military Family Housing and the University of Tampa sports fields.
Faulkner Engineering Services, founded in 2005 by David W. Faulkner, protects public safety, manages risks, and exceeds customer expectations on every project. Faulkner Engineering joins UES's Florida Region under North Florida Region President Rick Kushner, PE, Faulkner Engineering's management team will continue to run the firm.
UES serves commercial, residential, and civic clients nationwide with about six decades of recognition and experience as the leading geotechnical engineering and consulting organization. Since 2019, UES acquired prominent organizations such as Universal Engineering Sciences, GFA International, Dan Brown and Associates, and more, making it one of the nation's largest, most resourceful groups.
CEO, Dave Witsken at Universal Engineering Sciences, stated, "We're excited to add Faulkner Engineering to our portfolio of companies." He added, "This acquisition bolsters our growth and development initiatives in Florida, and we look forward to having the Faulkner team as part of UES."
(Source – CISION PR Newswire)
David Faulkner, President at Faulkner Engineering Services, remarked, "This acquisition allows our company to expand upon the services we provide."
He further added, "It also provides a national footprint to service our clients from coast-to-coast, as well as offers our incredible teammates more opportunities for career growth and advancement."
(Source – CISION PR Newswire)
About UES
UES is a private engineering and consulting firm that has existed since 1964. It is expanding and has about 60 years of experience in testing building materials, geotechnical engineering, building code compliance, environmental consulting, and threshold inspections. UES consults on projects for public and private clients in healthcare, transportation, residential, commercial, and education industries with around 3,400 specialists in more than 70 branches in U.S. cities. UES was Zweig Group's 'Hot Firm' of the Year in 2021 and 2022.
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