AECCafe Today 
Sanjay Gangal
Sanjay Gangal is the President of IBSystems, the parent company of AECCafe.com, MCADCafe, EDACafe.Com, GISCafe.Com, and ShareCG.Com. At Trimble Dimensions, AI Shifts from Hype to Practical ApplicationsNovember 18th, 2024 by Sanjay Gangal
Las Vegas — Trimble Dimensions 2024, held in the buzzing halls of the Venetian Convention Center, was a showcase of transformative technology for the built environment. Amid the digital displays and technical presentations, I had the pleasure of meeting with Karoliina Torttila, Trimble’s Director of AI, for an in-depth conversation. Torttila is Trimble’s quiet powerhouse in harnessing artificial intelligence to meet the nuanced needs of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). Our discussion underscored the practicality driving Trimble’s AI initiatives, turning AI from an abstract idea into a tool that supports real-world challenges.  Karoliina Torttila Torttila greeted me warmly, her passion evident as she described her work. “Our job,” she said, “is to adapt AI to make it genuinely useful for our industry.” In Torttila’s view, AI must address the unique challenges of AEC, where construction sites, structural materials, and surveying equipment require specialized knowledge that traditional AI models simply don’t have. “There are fantastic general AI models, but they aren’t designed to handle the complex, ever-changing environments of construction and surveying.” One of the most significant hurdles Torttila faces is training AI to recognize the highly specific visuals and conditions on construction sites. While AI is adept at recognizing common objects in everyday settings, it falters when applied to niche environments like electrical substations or construction zones, where the visual data is dramatically different. Torttila explained how her team at Trimble refines these models to interpret everything from survey instruments to steel beams in real-world conditions, filling in gaps left by standard AI training sets. “We’re not building a ‘ChatGPT for construction,’” she laughed. “Instead, we’re refining existing models to make them reliable in our specialized settings.” Read the rest of At Trimble Dimensions, AI Shifts from Hype to Practical Applications Eagle Point Software Discusses the Peak Experience Update for Pinnacle Series at Autodesk UniversityNovember 8th, 2024 by Sanjay Gangal
At Autodesk University in San Diego, I sat down with Jim TeDesco, Vice President of Marketing of Eagle Point Software, at their bustling booth to discuss the highly anticipated “Peak Experience” update to the Pinnacle Series platform. This latest enhancement, which focuses on improving both user experience and platform functionality, promises to make a significant impact on how AEC and manufacturing professionals learn, manage, and navigate their technical tools. The Pinnacle Series, known for delivering a comprehensive on-demand learning environment, has now been elevated to what TeDesco calls “a more intuitive and future-proof platform.” He explained that the update is designed to address the ever-evolving needs of users, ranging from project managers to CAD operators. “We’ve redesigned the entire user interface,” TeDesco said. “It’s not only more visually engaging, but also far easier to navigate. Whether you’re overseeing a project or just need a quick answer to a technical question, the new layout allows users to find what they need more quickly and effectively.” Key among the improvements is the integration of Pinnacle AI, an artificial intelligence tool that enables users to interact with a chatbot to find solutions within the platform. “If you run into a roadblock while using Revit or AutoCAD, you can simply ask Pinnacle AI your question,” TeDesco elaborated. “It scans our extensive library of content and provides you with not just step-by-step instructions, but also relevant videos and documentation to help you resolve the issue on the spot.” The Peak Experience update also includes significant upgrades on the management side of the platform. Administrators now have access to a fully browser-based content management system, making it easier than ever to upload, organize, and assign training materials. “Previously, admins had to rely on external tools to manage content,” TeDesco explained. “Now they can handle everything from within the platform, using simple drag-and-drop features to assign learning paths and track progress.” Security is another area where Eagle Point Software has made strides. The update includes enhanced features like single sign-on (SSO) and active directory synchronization, ensuring that data remains protected while users enjoy a seamless, integrated experience. These security upgrades are essential for large organizations looking to scale their use of Pinnacle Series without compromising sensitive information. Building the Future: Autodesk’s Vision for a Connected, Sustainable AECO IndustryOctober 28th, 2024 by Sanjay Gangal
At last week’s Autodesk University in San Diego, the AECO industry keynote felt like more than a mere presentation; it was a deep dive into Autodesk’s transformative vision for the future of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). Led by Nicolas Mangon, Autodesk’s VP of AEC Industry Strategy, the keynote drew an eager audience of industry professionals to explore how connected, data-driven tools are not just reshaping project workflows but are poised to redefine the AECO industry itself.  Nicolas Mangon VP, AEC Industry Strategy, Autodesk Nicolas Mangon kicked off the event with a compelling vision centered on data as the “gold mine” of the industry—an asset with immense potential to solve many of AECO’s biggest challenges, including skilled labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and urgent sustainability concerns. But the true star of his opening remarks was Dasher, a robot built by Deconstruct Robotics, equipped to perform real-time data collection and monitoring on construction sites. Mangon introduced Dasher with a blend of humor and awe, calling her a “data Rockstar,” whose job goes beyond simple scanning; Dasher connects physical and digital environments by capturing data and funneling it into Autodesk Docs, Autodesk’s powerful data management environment. This real-time data capture not only provides granular insights into physical assets but also enables seamless updates and decision-making across teams—a vision Mangon framed as the future of connected, accessible, and secure project data. Dasher, as Mangon explained, is more than a tool; she symbolizes the future of autonomous systems in the AECO industry, where robots on construction sites and drones in the sky could map, scan, and update digital twins. This future, as Mangon highlighted, is closer than ever, thanks to Autodesk Docs, which acts as the “garage” for storing and organizing data collected from Autodesk’s suite of tools, including AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, Tandem, and third-party integrations like PowerBI. “Imagine a future where a robot on the ground or in the sky can scan the built environment or job sites and capture data,” he explained, painting an image of a world where digital and physical environments converge. He described Docs as a secure, universally accessible platform that allows every stakeholder, regardless of location, to participate in decision-making, bridging the gaps between project phases and breaking down traditional silos. Read the rest of Building the Future: Autodesk’s Vision for a Connected, Sustainable AECO Industry Bentley Systems Announces Groundbreaking Innovations and Strategic Acquisitions at the Year in Infrastructure Conference in VancouverOctober 15th, 2024 by Sanjay Gangal
VANCOUVER, B.C. — At Bentley Systems’ Year in Infrastructure Conference this week, the global infrastructure software leader unveiled a series of innovative product updates, key acquisitions, and strategic partnerships that promise to redefine infrastructure design, construction, and operations. With a clear focus on openness, AI-powered digital twins, and cross-platform collaboration, the conference set the stage for Bentley’s vision of a more connected and efficient infrastructure future.
Embracing Openness and Digital Twins: The Future of InfrastructureJulien Moutte, chief technology officer at Bentley Systems, emphasized Bentley’s deep commitment to openness, calling it the “backbone of our digital twin strategy.” As infrastructure projects become more complex, the need for seamless data integration across tools and systems becomes paramount. Bentley’s iTwin platform was developed to address this challenge, ensuring that data is created, managed, and consumed in a centralized environment without the fragmentation that plagues traditional project workflows. Moutte explained that the iTwin platform serves as more than just a data hub. “It offers a way for engineers, contractors, and asset managers to collaborate effectively, with data that remains accessible and relevant throughout the entire lifecycle of an infrastructure asset.” This open approach ensures that users can integrate third-party tools, leverage domain-specific expertise, and use data in ways that fit their evolving needs. Moutte also stressed the importance of longevity in data management. “Your data is your data,” he said, underscoring Bentley’s commitment to data autonomy. “By promoting open standards, open-source tools, and open APIs, we are making sure that data remains interoperable and usable for decades.” This openness ensures that Bentley’s solutions can integrate seamlessly with other systems, future-proofing infrastructure projects and reducing operational risks. Pix4D Elevates Geospatial Mapping with Innovative 3D TechnologySeptember 14th, 2024 by Sanjay Gangal
Last week at the Commercial UAV Conference in Las Vegas, Pix4D, a leader in geospatial mapping technology, showcased its latest innovations in 3D data capture and processing. Known for converting imagery from drones, aircraft, and mobile devices into highly accurate georeferenced 2D orthomosaics, 3D surface models, and point clouds, the Swiss company continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in photogrammetry and LiDAR integration. In an interview at the conference, Ashley Reade, Business Development Executive at Pix4D, discussed the company’s unique approach to geospatial data solutions. “We aim to make accurate, high-quality data accessible to everyone, from experts in surveying and construction to those with limited experience in data capture,” Reade said.  PIX4Dcatch and Bad Elf Scanning Solution Interface A focal point of the conversation was Pix4D’s comprehensive workflow, starting with its PIX4Dcatch mobile app. Compatible with the latest Apple iPhone Pro series, the app combines photogrammetry, LiDAR, and GNSS technology to capture georeferenced 3D models with precision. This is further enhanced by a new partnership with Bad Elf, announced earlier this month, which pairs their RTK GNSS Rover with PIX4Dcatch for centimeter-level accuracy in terrestrial scanning. Read the rest of Pix4D Elevates Geospatial Mapping with Innovative 3D Technology |
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