Robots are Changing the World: Should You Fear Them?

Ultron sought the annihilation of humanity. Most robots in the Terminator franchise have been evil. Humanoid robots in iRobot plotted to take over humans. The war of Autobot and Predacon robots have brought massive destruction on Earth. With all the pop culture depiction of advanced robotics, it’s not surprising why some fear the growing presence of robots.

Spotlight

Southeastern Engineering

Founded in 1996, Southeastern Engineering, Inc. (SEI) is a privately-held engineering company providing an extensive range of services including landside and airside aviation engineering services, civil engineering, transportation engineering, traffic engineering, environmental and land surveying, landscape architecture, construction engineering and inspection, and 3D scanning to both private and public-sector clients including numerous municipal and county governments and state agencies.

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Engineering Tech

How Engineering Answers to Why Cybersecurity is Critical to Realizing the Full Potential of 5G Networks?

Article | July 20, 2022

5G is the next quantum leap in mobile and wireless communication, providing unprecedented speed, capacity, and capabilities. In the 5G world, networks will serve trillions of connected things, and each person will be supported by hundreds of connected devices. In addition to these opportunities, the combination of new capabilities and virtualisation in 5G introduces new threats. 5G has significantly more network end-points that cyber criminals can exploit, and 5G virtualisation means that the entire connection is based on software, which is inherently hackable. Transforming society by reconceptualising the “network” Understanding where the vulnerabilities exist is a critical first step toward protecting 5G networks from cyber threats. This entails implementing a process that involves identifying, profiling, and assessing the health of each component before allowing it to connect to the network, and, if necessary, restricting access to the 5G service based on this assessment. It's known as a zero-trust approach, and it will assist organizations throughout the 5G ecosystem in striking the right balance between business risk and 5G security. 5G Expands Cyber Risks The network is transitioning away from centralized, hardware-based switching and toward distributed, software-defined digital routing. However, in the 5G software defined network, that activity is pushed outward to a web of digital routers spread throughout the network, removing the possibility of chokepoint inspection and control. 5G adds to its cyber vulnerability by virtualizing higher-level network functions previously performed by physical appliances in software. These activities are based on the Internet Protocol common language and well-known operating systems. Even if it were possible to secure the network's software vulnerabilities, the network is also managed by software—often early generation artificial intelligence—that is vulnerable. The dramatic increase in bandwidth that enables 5G opens up new attack vectors. Low-cost, short-range small-cell antennas deployed throughout urban areas become new physical hard targets. Finally, there is the vulnerability created by connecting tens of billions of hackable smart devices (actually, small computers) to the Internet of Things network. Plans are in the works for a diverse and seemingly endless list of IoT-enabled activities, ranging from public safety to battlefield to medical to transportation—all of which are both wonderful and uniquely vulnerable. In this paper, we argue that a zero-trust approach, combined with company leaders focusing on three key pillars—trust, resilience, and enablement—will form the foundation of a sound cyber strategy, allowing companies to roll out 5G quickly and safely.

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Engineering Tech

What is Environmental Engineering?

Article | August 24, 2021

Environmental regulations are tightening, resource extraction sites are nearing the end of their useful lives and must be cleaned up, and the list goes on. Environmental engineers are needed to take advantage of these career opportunities in order to ensure that human impact on the environment is sustainable. But exactly what is environmental engineering? What is Environmental Engineering? Environmental engineering entails both the protection of people from the environment and the protection of the environment from people. Environmental engineers, for example, help to protect people's health from the effects of pollution by designing pollution mitigation systems. When an environmental engineer, on the other hand, designs a system that treats waste to ensure that any spills into groundwater are less toxic, they are protecting the environment from the negative effects of humans. Environmental engineers rely on knowledge from a variety of disciplines, including chemistry, geology, physics, biology, soil science, and others, to complete their work; it is a highly interdisciplinary field. In which industries can environmental engineers work? Environmental engineers work in a wide range of industries and for a wide range of companies due to the wide range of tasks they perform. In this section, we will look at some of the most common areas in which they work. Oil, mining, and forestry are all resource industries that have a significant environmental impact. Companies in these industries frequently hire environmental engineers to minimize the impact these industries have on the environment in order to comply with government environmental regulations. For example, in the mining industry, an environmental engineer may be hired to treat mine waste to make it less toxic. Many environmental engineers go on to work for government agencies, assisting in the verification of companies' compliance with environmental regulations and, in some cases, developing environmental regulations themselves. Public infrastructure projects, such as dams and bridges, are another area where environmental engineers are needed. They are required to ensure that the environmental impact of these projects is kept to a minimum. Environmental engineers are responsible for safeguarding the environment against human impact as well as safeguarding humans against any serious negative effects caused by the environment. They can work in the resource industry, government, education, research, environmental clean-up companies, and engineering consulting firms. Environmental engineers are more needed than ever as stricter environmental regulations take effect around the world and there is a greater need to clean up anything that has a significant impact on the environment.

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Engineering Tech

Infrastructure Policy Watch: UKIB goes live, Singapore brings in global sustainability experts

Article | July 13, 2022

The new UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) recently opened, with its remit confirmed by the UK government in a new Framework Document. The document sets out the role of the bank as providing: "leadership to the market in the development of infrastructure and new infrastructure technologies, crowding-in private capital and reducing risk through its cornerstone investments and range of financial products. It will bolster the government’s lending to local government for large and complex projects through its expertise and scrutiny, and help to bring private and public sector stakeholders together to regenerate regions and create new opportunities." It will have two strategic objectives, to help tackle climate change and support regional and local economic growth. Given these two objectives may conflict, the Framework Document suggests "where an investment is primarily to support economic growth, the Company will ensure that it does not do significant harm against its climate objective."

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Engineering Tech

Detail Rebar Your Way with Allplan

Article | July 21, 2021

A typical rebar detailing office has a spread of different ages working there – from those with just a few years of experience, to staff who have been detailing rebar for decades. In many ways, this mirrors the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry itself. However, as experienced staff are so quick to produce rebar documentation, often existing ways of working remain in use long after they have been replaced with more efficient methods. After all, by using familiar workflows only new detailers require training, rather than a whole office. Yet 3D rebar detailing software provides more benefits than just quicker deliverables – the benefits to the business, as well as the entire workflow, are significant. With the right rebar CAD software, this does not have to involve a steep learning curve that staff are not ready for, either.

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Spotlight

Southeastern Engineering

Founded in 1996, Southeastern Engineering, Inc. (SEI) is a privately-held engineering company providing an extensive range of services including landside and airside aviation engineering services, civil engineering, transportation engineering, traffic engineering, environmental and land surveying, landscape architecture, construction engineering and inspection, and 3D scanning to both private and public-sector clients including numerous municipal and county governments and state agencies.

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Engineering Tech

Bowman Acquires South Carolina Firm Dennis Corporation

Business Wire | October 17, 2023

Bowman Consulting Group Ltd., a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment, today announced the acquisition of Dennis Corporation (“Dennis”), a civil engineering, surveying and construction management firm headquartered in Columbia, SC. Supporting public and private sector clients, Dennis specializes in delivering general civil infrastructure planning and design; program and construction management and oversight; environmental and geotechnical services for traffic and transportation; intelligent transportation systems (ITS), aviation, water resources and public sector facilities. With a rich history of client-focused services, sustainable engineering practices and forward-thinking solutions, the firm has a proven reputation of success. Established in 2005 by current CEO Dan Dennis, the firm has grown to become one the largest locally owned engineering, surveying and construction management firms in South Carolina. All 40 technical and administrative professionals will become Bowman employees in connection with the acquisition. “Dennis Corporation embodies a culture of commitment to unparalleled client service, which aligns perfectly with our cultural values, making them a great fit for Bowman,” said Gary Bowman, chairman and CEO of Bowman. “Their focus on transportation, construction management and surveying complement recent acquisitions we’ve made, and their geographic footprint introduces us to an attractive growth market in a familiar region. We’re looking forward to getting Dan and his team onboard and integrated into our platform so we can start sharing work and growing our collective base of business through revenue synergies.” “Becoming a Bowman company begins an exciting new chapter in our proud story,” said Dan Dennis, CEO of Dennis Corporation. “Our employees are looking forward to the suite of professional development platforms available at Bowman. We’re anxious to contribute to Bowman’s work-sharing mindset and we’re excited about the opportunities we will have to expand our service offerings and increase our exposure to clients and markets.” Financed with a combination of cash, seller notes and equity, the acquisition falls within previously discussed target multiple and operating metric ranges and is expected to be immediately accretive. The Company anticipates the acquisition will initially operate at an annualized net service billing run rate of approximately $4.5 million. More detailed information on M&A activities, pipeline and guidance updates are provided in connection with scheduled quarterly and annual communications. About Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Bowman is a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment. With over 2,000 employees and more than 80 offices throughout the United States, Bowman provides a variety of planning, engineering, geospatial, construction management, commissioning, environmental consulting, land procurement and other technical services to customers operating in a diverse set of regulated end markets. Bowman trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol BWMN. About Dennis Corporation Since 2005, Dennis Corporation has operated as an engineering, survey and construction management firm committed to innovative designs, sustainable solutions and high-quality services for clients in South Carolina. The firm employs highly trained and experienced personnel who utilize the latest equipment and software for design and construction management. The construction services division has all the necessary DOT, environmental, OSF and OSE certifications and equipment required to perform field inspections and testing. Managing projects throughout the state of South Carolina, the Dennis team understands the importance of completing projects within budget and ahead of schedule. For more information on Dennis Corporation, their projects and their services, visit www.denniscorporation.com.

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Engineering Tech

EXP announces new Northern Ontario Engineering Sector

GlobeNewswire | October 12, 2023

EXP, a global engineering, architecture, design and consulting firm, has announced the establishment of a new Northern Ontario Engineering sector. The new sector will be led by EXP’s Vice President, Northern Ontario Kevin McKay. In his promoted role as sector leader, Kevin will be responsible for engineering services on critical infrastructure projects throughout Northern Ontario. Kevin will use EXP’s global footprint to nurture client relationships, promote growth, recruit talent and foster EXP’s inclusive culture. Kevin’s promotion comes amid robust infrastructure projects in Northern Ontario. “EXP is proud of its reputation for organic growth. As we continue to expand our presence across North America, we are committed to hiring and promoting team members who are client-focused, results-driven and embody EXP’s core values. Kevin’s familiarity with Northern Ontario and his exceptional leadership skills will allow EXP to support clients and communities to reach their desired outcomes,” said EXP’s President and COO Mark Dvorak. Kevin brings over 25 years of experience in strategy, planning and execution of engineering and construction projects. Throughout his career, he has been influential on transportation, building, building science, mining, water and energy projects, including the City of North Bay’s John Street Bridge Replacement, the Dufferin Aggregates’ Flamboro Quarry Expansion and the Municipality of Callander’s Wharf Rehabilitation. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Laurentian University and is a member of Professional Engineers Ontario. EXP’s growth has led to the creation of an international sector, mining sector and extension of its science and technology expertise throughout North America. To continue its rapid growth across Canada, EXP will also expand its transportation market with the upcoming promotion of Vice President, Transportation, Central Canada Magdy Saaman to Sector Leader in FY25. About EXP With a mission to understand, innovate, partner and deliver, EXP provides engineering, architecture, design and consulting services to the world’s built and natural environments. Our heritage dates back to 1906, when the earliest of EXP’s predecessor companies started its engineering infrastructure practice.

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Engineering Tech

Atwell expands to Utah with acquisition of Summit Engineering Group

Business Wire | October 10, 2023

Atwell has acquired the operations of Summit Engineering Group, a civil engineering and land surveying firm headquartered in Heber City, Utah. This is Atwell’s first permanent office in Utah, adding to the company’s recent expansion in the western United States. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2001 by Brian Balls and Michael Johnston, Summit offers a wide variety of professional and technical services throughout Utah. Their employees have a broad range of construction experience, utilizing design software and data reporting methods that help ensure accuracy, construction feasibility, efficiency, and low construction costs. “Atwell and Summit place a priority on getting it right the first time, which makes our services and company cultures an ideal fit,” said Brian Balls, Principal at Summit. “Similarly, both companies have strong reputations for expertise, experience, and responsiveness to their clients’ needs. The breadth of Atwell’s services will expand into Utah, providing greater opportunity for our clients.” “The team at Summit is focused on providing clients with the highest standards of quality, value, and service,” said Jeff French, Vice President of Real Estate and Land Development for Atwell. “We look forward to working with the Summit team and leveraging their decades of experience within their community. We’re very excited to expand our national reach by bringing Atwell into Utah to provide greater service options for our clients.” Atwell continues to expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and capabilities through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Summit is Atwell’s eighth acquisition over the past year. In the last two months, Atwell acquired Mead Gilman & Associates, a land surveying firm located in Woodinville, Washington, and Bay Engineering, a civil engineering, land surveying, and environmental services firm headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. About Atwell Atwell, LLC is a national consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with more than 1,500 professionals located across the country. Creating innovative solutions for clients in industries such as real estate and land development, power and energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure and transportation, Atwell provides comprehensive turnkey services including land and right-of-way support, planning, landscape architecture, engineering, land surveying, environmental compliance and permitting, and project and program management.

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Engineering Tech

Bowman Acquires South Carolina Firm Dennis Corporation

Business Wire | October 17, 2023

Bowman Consulting Group Ltd., a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment, today announced the acquisition of Dennis Corporation (“Dennis”), a civil engineering, surveying and construction management firm headquartered in Columbia, SC. Supporting public and private sector clients, Dennis specializes in delivering general civil infrastructure planning and design; program and construction management and oversight; environmental and geotechnical services for traffic and transportation; intelligent transportation systems (ITS), aviation, water resources and public sector facilities. With a rich history of client-focused services, sustainable engineering practices and forward-thinking solutions, the firm has a proven reputation of success. Established in 2005 by current CEO Dan Dennis, the firm has grown to become one the largest locally owned engineering, surveying and construction management firms in South Carolina. All 40 technical and administrative professionals will become Bowman employees in connection with the acquisition. “Dennis Corporation embodies a culture of commitment to unparalleled client service, which aligns perfectly with our cultural values, making them a great fit for Bowman,” said Gary Bowman, chairman and CEO of Bowman. “Their focus on transportation, construction management and surveying complement recent acquisitions we’ve made, and their geographic footprint introduces us to an attractive growth market in a familiar region. We’re looking forward to getting Dan and his team onboard and integrated into our platform so we can start sharing work and growing our collective base of business through revenue synergies.” “Becoming a Bowman company begins an exciting new chapter in our proud story,” said Dan Dennis, CEO of Dennis Corporation. “Our employees are looking forward to the suite of professional development platforms available at Bowman. We’re anxious to contribute to Bowman’s work-sharing mindset and we’re excited about the opportunities we will have to expand our service offerings and increase our exposure to clients and markets.” Financed with a combination of cash, seller notes and equity, the acquisition falls within previously discussed target multiple and operating metric ranges and is expected to be immediately accretive. The Company anticipates the acquisition will initially operate at an annualized net service billing run rate of approximately $4.5 million. More detailed information on M&A activities, pipeline and guidance updates are provided in connection with scheduled quarterly and annual communications. About Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Bowman is a national engineering services firm delivering infrastructure solutions to customers who own, develop and maintain the built environment. With over 2,000 employees and more than 80 offices throughout the United States, Bowman provides a variety of planning, engineering, geospatial, construction management, commissioning, environmental consulting, land procurement and other technical services to customers operating in a diverse set of regulated end markets. Bowman trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol BWMN. About Dennis Corporation Since 2005, Dennis Corporation has operated as an engineering, survey and construction management firm committed to innovative designs, sustainable solutions and high-quality services for clients in South Carolina. The firm employs highly trained and experienced personnel who utilize the latest equipment and software for design and construction management. The construction services division has all the necessary DOT, environmental, OSF and OSE certifications and equipment required to perform field inspections and testing. Managing projects throughout the state of South Carolina, the Dennis team understands the importance of completing projects within budget and ahead of schedule. For more information on Dennis Corporation, their projects and their services, visit www.denniscorporation.com.

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Engineering Tech

EXP announces new Northern Ontario Engineering Sector

GlobeNewswire | October 12, 2023

EXP, a global engineering, architecture, design and consulting firm, has announced the establishment of a new Northern Ontario Engineering sector. The new sector will be led by EXP’s Vice President, Northern Ontario Kevin McKay. In his promoted role as sector leader, Kevin will be responsible for engineering services on critical infrastructure projects throughout Northern Ontario. Kevin will use EXP’s global footprint to nurture client relationships, promote growth, recruit talent and foster EXP’s inclusive culture. Kevin’s promotion comes amid robust infrastructure projects in Northern Ontario. “EXP is proud of its reputation for organic growth. As we continue to expand our presence across North America, we are committed to hiring and promoting team members who are client-focused, results-driven and embody EXP’s core values. Kevin’s familiarity with Northern Ontario and his exceptional leadership skills will allow EXP to support clients and communities to reach their desired outcomes,” said EXP’s President and COO Mark Dvorak. Kevin brings over 25 years of experience in strategy, planning and execution of engineering and construction projects. Throughout his career, he has been influential on transportation, building, building science, mining, water and energy projects, including the City of North Bay’s John Street Bridge Replacement, the Dufferin Aggregates’ Flamboro Quarry Expansion and the Municipality of Callander’s Wharf Rehabilitation. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Laurentian University and is a member of Professional Engineers Ontario. EXP’s growth has led to the creation of an international sector, mining sector and extension of its science and technology expertise throughout North America. To continue its rapid growth across Canada, EXP will also expand its transportation market with the upcoming promotion of Vice President, Transportation, Central Canada Magdy Saaman to Sector Leader in FY25. About EXP With a mission to understand, innovate, partner and deliver, EXP provides engineering, architecture, design and consulting services to the world’s built and natural environments. Our heritage dates back to 1906, when the earliest of EXP’s predecessor companies started its engineering infrastructure practice.

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Engineering Tech

Atwell expands to Utah with acquisition of Summit Engineering Group

Business Wire | October 10, 2023

Atwell has acquired the operations of Summit Engineering Group, a civil engineering and land surveying firm headquartered in Heber City, Utah. This is Atwell’s first permanent office in Utah, adding to the company’s recent expansion in the western United States. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2001 by Brian Balls and Michael Johnston, Summit offers a wide variety of professional and technical services throughout Utah. Their employees have a broad range of construction experience, utilizing design software and data reporting methods that help ensure accuracy, construction feasibility, efficiency, and low construction costs. “Atwell and Summit place a priority on getting it right the first time, which makes our services and company cultures an ideal fit,” said Brian Balls, Principal at Summit. “Similarly, both companies have strong reputations for expertise, experience, and responsiveness to their clients’ needs. The breadth of Atwell’s services will expand into Utah, providing greater opportunity for our clients.” “The team at Summit is focused on providing clients with the highest standards of quality, value, and service,” said Jeff French, Vice President of Real Estate and Land Development for Atwell. “We look forward to working with the Summit team and leveraging their decades of experience within their community. We’re very excited to expand our national reach by bringing Atwell into Utah to provide greater service options for our clients.” Atwell continues to expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and capabilities through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Summit is Atwell’s eighth acquisition over the past year. In the last two months, Atwell acquired Mead Gilman & Associates, a land surveying firm located in Woodinville, Washington, and Bay Engineering, a civil engineering, land surveying, and environmental services firm headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. About Atwell Atwell, LLC is a national consulting, engineering, and construction services firm with more than 1,500 professionals located across the country. Creating innovative solutions for clients in industries such as real estate and land development, power and energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure and transportation, Atwell provides comprehensive turnkey services including land and right-of-way support, planning, landscape architecture, engineering, land surveying, environmental compliance and permitting, and project and program management.

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