Best of LinkedIn: Digital Construction CW 22/ 23

Generative-AI point solutions such as Datagrid AI, Krane, Doxel, DroneDeploy, and Roger are being adopted to automate progress tracking, quantity take-off, and schedule optimisation, cutting manual effort in planning and controls

Practitioners report that clean data and small, quick wins build trust in AI roll-outs, anchoring transformation roadmaps on measurable ROI rather than broad vision statements

Information-management teams are augmenting staff with AI copilots that surface key insights from drawings and RFIs, shifting focus from data collation to proactive decision support

Early tests of Claude AI and Bonsai inside BIM workflows demonstrate that prompt-based task automation can reduce model coordination time while keeping human review for risk-critical steps

4D planning is moving from isolated pilots to baseline practice: teams use model-linked schedules to compress programmes, flag resource clashes, and run “last planner” look-aheads inside a common data environment

BEXEL Manager’s integrated 4D / 5D engine is highlighted for bridging estimating and scheduling, giving project teams cost-loaded simulations that improve stakeholder clarity at bid and delivery stages

BuildingSMART leaders preview IFC 5, emphasising better schema consistency that will unlock smoother handover between design authoring, coordination, and field applications

Site managers stress that mastering core BIM toolsets yields higher value than chasing every niche add-on, focusing investment on workflows that drive actionable insights onsite

The Hadrian X robot completed multiple single-storey houses with minimal human input, showcasing the speed and repeatability achievable when robotic bricklaying is tightly integrated with digital models

Gravis Robotics retrofits earth-moving equipment with autonomous control kits, pointing to a near-term pathway for high-volume tasks such as trenching and grading

Academic and industry reviews on human-robot collaboration underline safety zoning, sensor fusion, and clear task allocation as prerequisites for mainstream adoption

Commentary warns that clinging to legacy systems inflates risk and operating cost; executives are urged to upgrade core platforms before layering advanced analytics

Internal job-site tools are maturing into extensible project-management platforms, reflecting a broader shift from point fixes to ecosystem thinking

Success stories link transformation ROI to visionary leadership paired with staged roll-outs that balance culture change, process re-design, and technology deployment

Digital Meld positions itself as an AI integrator, brokering partnerships that connect construction firms with specialised startups to accelerate solution delivery

WeatherWise launched a platform that quantifies weather risk in schedule and cost forecasts, embedding meteorological data into day-to-day decision-making

Developer conferences and expos highlight open-API strategies from major vendors, fostering community contributions that de-risk bespoke integrations

Construction 5.0 narratives link AI and IoT with carbon-smart design, asserting that digital optimisation is inseparable from environmental targets

URSA TECTONIC FP insulation showcases how energy-efficient materials can retrofit heritage structures without compromising aesthetics, illustrating the convergence of sustainability and advanced fabrication

Digital Construction Week in London, GEO Business, and Sydney Build Expo collectively spotlighted practical case studies over futuristic hype, revealing a market ready to fund solutions that solve immediate pain points

Panel discussions emphasised that cross-disciplinary collaboration – combining data scientists, domain engineers, and commercial leads; is now the critical success factor in scaling new tech