Connected Construction

Topcon Positioning says that its DS-200i direct-aiming motorised imaging station is compatible with the new Autodesk BIM 360 Layout app for the Apple iPad. The DS-200i is the second total station solution that Autodesk and Topcon have collaborated on for contractors. Topcon says that the BIM 360 Layout app’s connectivity with the DS-200i offers a reflectorless solution along with imaging and increased vertical range over previous systems. The DS-200i has an electronic distance measurement (EDM) range of

A series of key highway projects are underway in Morocco, with others now being planned. The Moroccan Government is calling for a study for the construction of seven stretches of highway. The winner of the tender for a consultancy will be announced on 22nd March 2016. The seven projects will be public-private partnerships, and include a road connecting Nador with the Fez-Oudja highway, a connection to the Nador West Med port, a stretch connecting Tangier and Tétouan, and a stretch connecting the Fez-Meknès

A new freeway project is planned in Phoenix, Arizona. The joint venture for this design-build and maintain project will be led by Fluor Corporation. The package of works was awarded by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and is for the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. This freeway project will be the first procured under Arizona’s public-private-partnership statute.

Users of Leica Cyclone, a 3D point cloud processing software, can now automatically import and align high-dynamic range (HDR) data from NCTech’s iSTAR camera database. The result is enhanced images delivered faster and easier, according to both companies. “It is also the accuracy to which these images fit the 3D point cloud data that is paramount. NCTech’s iSTAR camera produces high-quality HDR imaging at the accuracy everyone expects,” said Faheem Khan, vice president, business development for Leica Geosys

Kassel-based company Aibotix has presented a solution for high-precision surveying with Version 2 of its tried and tested surveying hexacopter AibotX6: High Precision GNSS. Aibotix, based in Kassel, in the middle of Germany, develops and manufactures multi-copters for applications in the industrial sector. The company's name is a combination of Ai for artificial intelligence and botix for robotics.

In the US state of Oklahoma, Silver Star Construction has adopted 3D technology for site modelling and stringless machine control The company, based in the town of Moore, recently used a Topcon Millimeter GPS system mounted on one of their Power Curber 5700-Cs to put down nearly 5,500m of curb and gutter in a residential housing addition in south-west Oklahoma City. Once the dirt work and grading was completed, the concrete crew got to work by mounting the Topcon receivers on their 5700-C. The Topcon

Yotta Australia, the authorised distributor of Horizons software in Australia and New Zealand, has won its first contracts for the visualised asset management platform. The recently signed software and service agreement will see Horizons, a Software-as-a-Service platform, support two large-scale Maintenance Alliance Contracts encompassing more than 7,500km of arterial road network for VicRoads, the road and traffic authority in the state of Victoria.

Bentley Systems has unveiled a wealth of new construction software technologies that can help optimise the progression of road projects - Mike Woof writes A host of new tools and software developments from Bentley Systems will help designers and construction firms deliver projects more quickly and efficiently. Senior vice president for Bentley Systems is Bhupinder Singh and he explained, “Our users are using more software and more devices than ever before and they’re creating more data.” He said that

Topcon Positioning Group has acquired a significant share of Finnish design software specialist Viasys VDC. The company offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services for building Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) models for infrastructure and site-work projects. This will add to Topcon’s portfolio of (BIM) technologies. The VDC models from Viasys can be used to optimise the construction process throughout a project lifecycle delivering better quality, higher efficiency and reduced costs.

The Norwegian Government has unveiled its preferred solution for Hordaland road and railway route. This will be the so-called K5 alternative for the future E16 highway and Bergensbanen railway. The transport connections will run through the county of Hordaland in western Norway. This alternative will offer shorter distances, increased capacity and improved security. Journey time between Bergen and Voss will be reduced to 46 minutes from 72 minutes by car, and to 24 minutes from 63 minutes by train. The N