Bridgit, a Canadian startup company devoted to improving efficiency in the construction industry, recently launched Groundbreaker. The interactive application combines the smartglass app for Bridgit’s flagship Closeout software, which manages deficiencies in construction projects, with Thalmic Labs’ Myo armband, which can recognize subtle hand and finger gestures.
Mallorie Brodie, Co-founder of the Kitchener, Ont., software developer, says that she and her Co-founder, Lauren Hasegawa, conferred with 500 stakeholders before deciding on the hands-free solution. “We were not convinced that smartglass technology alone was a practical solution, especially if it required audio commands on noisy job sites,” she says.
Combining the smartglass visual device with the motion-sensing armband means users don’t have to fiddle with their smartphones to shoot a photo of a defect in a wall system. Nor do they have to rely on using voice commands, which can slow down information retrieval in the field. They can just point and click, and the data or image can be transferred instantly to the correct person on site who can fix the problem.
Groundbreaker retails for $1,499. Here’s a short video demonstration of how it works.
Read about more innovations from BD+C's 2014 Great Solutions Report
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 7, 2022
Visibility breeds traffic in healthcare design
Ryan Companies has completed several healthcare projects that gain exposure by being near retail stores or office buildings.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 7, 2022
Ken Soble Tower becomes world’s largest residential Passive House retrofit
The project team for the 18-story high-rise for seniors slashed the building’s greenhouse gas emissions by 94 percent and its heating energy demand by 91 percent.
Architects | Apr 7, 2022
Perkins Eastman, Kliment Halsband Architects to merge
Perkins Eastman and Kliment Halsband Architects have announced their merger, which will combine the formidable talents, experience, and skills of both legacy firms. With Perkins Eastman celebrating its 40th anniversary and Kliment Halsband celebrating its 50th, this merger promises to create powerful synergies.
Urban Planning | Apr 5, 2022
The art of master planning, with Mike Aziz of Cooper Robertson
Mike Aziz, AIA, LEED AP, Partner and Director of Urban Design with Cooper Robertson, discusses his firm's design for the redevelopment of a Connecticut town's riverfront.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 5, 2022
New Covenant House New York contains multiple services for youth in crisis
The new Covenant House New York, a crisis shelter for homeless youth in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, provides a temporary home and multiple services for young people.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Apr 1, 2022
Video surveillance systems for multifamily housing projects
This introductory course provides detailed technical information and advice from security expert Michael Silva, CPP, on designing a video surveillance system for multifamily housing communities – apartments, condominiums, townhouses, or senior living communities. Technical advice on choosing the right type of cameras and optimizing the exterior lighting for their use is offered.
K-12 Schools | Apr 1, 2022
Charleston County’s award-winning career and technical education high school
BD+C Executive Editor Rob Cassidy talks with the team behind the award-winning Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies, a Career|Technical Education high school in Charleston County, S.C.
Modular Building | Mar 31, 2022
Rick Murdock’s dream multifamily housing factory
Modular housing leader Rick Murdock had a vision: Why not use robotic systems to automate the production of affordable modular housing? Now that vision is a reality.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 29, 2022
Here’s why the U.S. needs more ‘TOD’ housing
Transit-oriented developments help address the housing affordability issue that many cities and suburbs are facing.
Contractors | Mar 28, 2022
Amid supply chain woes, building teams employ extreme procurement measures
Project teams are looking to eliminate much of the guesswork around product availability and price inflation by employing early bulk-purchasing measures for entire building projects.
