Articles tagged with "Robotics and AI"

A new white paper highlights the slow adoption of construction technology (contech) as a potential barrier to data center projects, which are crucial for the development of artificial intelligence globally. The report warns that without broader technology implementation, the construction sector might hinder progress in AI advancements. It stresses the need for the industry to embrace innovative technologies to keep pace with the global demand for data infrastructure.

Recently, six construction technology firms attracted a total of $208 million in investment. The capital has been mainly directed towards the development of autonomous machinery retrofits and artificial intelligence solutions. These investments highlight the growing interest in innovative technologies within the construction sector.

A new survey conducted by Gusto reveals that nearly half of the workforce is proactively preparing for changes brought by AI, focusing on safeguarding their financial and vocational prospects. This proactive stance comes amid growing concerns about how AI technologies will reshape the professional landscape. The survey highlights a significant shift in employee attitudes towards technology and its impact on employment.

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop AI technologies for autonomous nuclear reactors. This collaboration aims to create digital twins of small modular reactors to enhance safety and efficiency while reducing costs and timelines. The initiative is part of a larger move by the U.S. to modernize its nuclear energy sector using AI, alongside similar efforts like the Westinghouse and Google Cloud partnership. Executive actions in 2025 underlined the importance of AI and nuclear energy in maintaining U.S. competitiveness.

AtkinsRéalis has extended its partnership with Montreal-based Kinova for three more years, focusing on nuclear robotics. This decision follows successful demonstrations and deployments of Kinova’s robotic arms at various sites, including Sellafield in the UK. The partnership will aim to enhance and broaden the technology's capabilities for global use in handling hazardous materials. Both companies emphasize the integration of commercial technology into nuclear systems to advance remote operations.

KEENON Robotics unveiled its bipedal humanoid service robot, XMAN-F1, at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025, displaying its ability to handle specific service tasks in hospitality and delivery settings. The robot showcased its versatility in different environments through interactive setups, including a medical station and bar area. KEENON emphasized the gradual evolution from single-task to multi-task robots and highlighted its ongoing efforts to incorporate humanoids in various workflows. The company's strategy focuses on building an ecosystem of interoperable robotic units rather than standalone solutions.

Former President Trump has unveiled an action plan aimed at limiting regulations surrounding artificial intelligence. The plan suggests restricting federal AI funding to states that have overly strict rules against the technology. It is an effort to promote the growth and development of AI by cutting regulatory red tape.

The construction sector is experiencing an increase in demand due to the proliferation of data center projects, specifically with a focus on AI data centers. These centers require significantly more electricity, which in turn is impacting energy infrastructure. This shift points to a growing opportunity for large-scale nuclear projects, particularly those valued over a billion dollars, as they offer a solution to the increased energy demands. The article discusses the implications of this trend in the construction and energy sectors.

Google Cloud is investing over $25 billion to enhance its AI infrastructure in the United States. This investment will significantly expand their data center operations across the country's largest power grid. The expansion is set to occur over the next two years, focusing on boosting technological capacity and infrastructure.

Toronto is implementing AI-powered traffic lights to reduce road congestion, adapting signal durations based on real-time traffic conditions, bus presence, pedestrians, and cyclists. These smart signals have shown to be particularly effective in suburban areas, enhancing traffic flow and safety. However, experts warn that AI technology alone will not solve the city's congestion problem, which stems from a structural imbalance between road capacity and vehicle demand. A holistic approach, combining technology, infrastructure development, and behavioral changes, is necessary to address the issue fully.

The Canadian construction industry is increasingly adopting new technologies to enhance productivity amidst growing pressures to build faster. According to a KPMG survey, 90% of construction leaders acknowledge the need for digital tools, which are already showing benefits in productivity. Procurement processes are evolving to support innovation, although challenges like skilled labor shortages and regional regulatory differences remain. Key technologies being prioritized include modular construction, robotics, and AI, with a focus on improving supply chain efficiency.

The city of Detroit has collaborated with startups and a tech incubator to implement drones and AI technologies for energy retrofit projects. These innovations aim to enhance efficiency by streamlining the process of building assessments, ultimately saving time and money compared to traditional methods. The initiative seeks to address energy consumption issues in the city's infrastructure. This partnership highlights the growing use of technology in improving building sustainability.