United States, Saudi Arabia, September 29, 2025
News Summary
Construction teams are accelerating adoption of automation to improve site updates, progress tracking and onsite tasks. This roundup highlights four leading platforms—CupixWorks, Reconstruct, Fieldwire and Buildertrend—that offer AI-driven 4D digital twins, reality mapping, real-time messaging and AI progress updates. It also covers three major industry deals: a large Metasys building automation contract, a NEOM–Samsung C&T joint venture for rebar robotics, and Okibo’s U.S. launch of the EG7 finishing robot. The report urges teams to match tool capabilities to project needs and prioritise transparent communication to boost safety, efficiency and decision-making.
Construction tech roundup: leading automated site-update platforms, a major Metasys award, a SAR1.3B robotics JV, and a U.S. robot launch
The construction industry is seeing rapid uptake of automation and digital tools that keep projects moving and stakeholders aligned. This report highlights four top platforms for automated site updates, a nationwide building automation contract award, a major construction-robotics joint venture in Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. introduction of a next-generation finishing robot. These developments address a core problem: Construction projects progress rapidly and in complex ways that can be difficult to track manually.
Why automated updates matter
Keeping everyone informed on schedule, quality and safety is essential. In practice, that means teams should seek software solutions geared toward providing timely and accurate updates for construction projects and adopt tools that reduce manual reporting. Automation can be a game-changer: it improves communication and helps get everyone on the right track.
Top options for automating construction site updates
Four platforms stand out for on-site documentation and progress tracking:
- CupixWorks by Cupix is an AI-powered as-built 4D digital twin platform. It enables businesses to elevate their project management with 4D documentation, supports 360-degree cameras, and includes construction progress tracking software.
- Reconstruct markets itself as a capital asset lifecycle management system. It provides 24/7 virtual site visibility, offers project snapshots, and supports progress monitoring to help property owners, builders and inspectors manage construction progress through reality mapping.
- Fieldwire is described as an all-in-one, as-built tool for tracking schedules and work performance in construction projects. Fieldwire provides insights that improve efficiency and coordination, enables real-time messaging, and supports digitised forms for faster submission.
- Buildertrend is construction management automation software. It can simplify projects and sales and financial management processes, is cloud-based and includes tools such as a client portal, and offers AI-powered progress updates. Buildertrend’s cloud-based tools can reduce 80% of daily phone calls (claimed).
With numerous construction management programmes on the market, it can be challenging to determine which are the best tools for automating construction site updates. The practical advice is to prioritise timely updates, reliable on-site capture (photos, 360-degree imaging, or automated scans), and easy distribution to stakeholders. It is crucial to practice transparency and communication to help lead to project efficiency and business growth in the long run. The recommendation: utilise the best tools for automating construction site progress updates to get the whole team on the same page.
Major contract: Metasys nationwide award
A major building control award will expand automated systems across Department of Defense facilities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded Johnson Controls a $377.9 million contract for the procurement, installation, maintenance and service of its Metasys building automation systems. The contract is a three-year base contract. The contract is set to begin August 1. The contract includes a 24-month optional ordering period that could potentially bring the total value to $630 million, according to the award notice. Johnson Controls was the sole bidder for the contract.
The three-year contract will provide HVAC, utility monitoring and control systems, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and other automated control systems to the U.S. Department of Defense, including fire alarm safety, contamination detection, filtration and response, electronic security, and electric, gas and water metering. Recent product updates to the Metasys platform added analytics, increased security features and simplified administration; those updates aim to help facilities move closer to autonomous operations through continual release models and modern HVAC sequences.
NEOM and Samsung JV to automate rebar assembly (SAR1.3B)
NEOM, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced on December 19, 2024, that it signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Samsung C&T Corporation. The JV aims to unlock an initial investment of more than SAR 1.3 billion in construction robotics and will accelerate the development and deployment of construction automation technology in Saudi Arabia. The agreement will establish rebar cage assembly factories in NEOM.
The JV focuses on automating rebar cage assembly with advanced robotic welding and tying techniques to enable the assembly of large, pre-manufactured reinforcement cages. NEOM says adoption of rebar assembly automation can reduce manual workforce hours by up to 80% based on global averages, improve safety and quality, reduce material waste and cut cage assembly costs by up to 40%. The project aims to create skilled local jobs and support large developments in the region.
Okibo launches EG7 in the U.S.
Okibo is opening its U.S. headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey. The official launch of Okibo’s EG7 robot in the American market was reported on April 6, 2025. The EG7 is a fully autonomous, battery-powered painting and drywall finishing robot that requires zero site preparation, external references, or technical expertise to operate. It uses a patented AI-driven 3D scanning and real-time modeling algorithm for navigation and execution, does not depend on external markers or BIM tools, and operates completely independently — no cords, pumps, or Wi‑Fi required. The EG7 can finish an average of 1,000 square feet per hour.
Okibo says its robots reduce dust and improve air quality and eliminate common physical injuries on site by taking repetitive and risky tasks off people. These robotic tools arrive as the industry faces a wave of retirements and labor shifts, making automation a strategic option for firms that need to maintain productivity.
Bottom line
Automated progress updates, remote site visibility and task-specific robots are changing how construction is planned and executed. Teams that adopt reliable 4D digital twins, reality-mapping services, field coordination platforms, and task robots can expect clearer communication, fewer on-site errors, and faster, safer execution. Prioritise transparency, select tools that fit existing workflows, and use automation to keep the whole project team on the same page.
FAQ
Q: Why are automated site updates important?
A: Construction projects progress rapidly and in complex ways that can be difficult to track manually. Automation tools for the construction industry can be a game-changer in improving communication and getting everyone on the right track.
Q: What is CupixWorks?
A: CupixWorks by Cupix is an AI-powered as-built 4D digital twin platform. CupixWorks enables businesses to elevate their project management and has tools for automating construction site updates, such as 4D documentation, support for 360-degree cameras, and construction progress tracking software.
Q: What is the Johnson Controls contract?
A: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded Johnson Controls a $377.9 million contract for the procurement, installation, maintenance and service of its Metasys building automation systems. The contract is a three-year base contract. The contract is set to begin August 1. The contract includes a 24-month optional ordering period that could potentially bring the total value to $630 million, according to the award notice. Johnson Controls was the sole bidder for the contract.
Q: What did NEOM and Samsung agree to do?
A: NEOM, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced on December 19, 2024, that it signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Samsung C&T Corporation. The agreement will establish rebar cage assembly factories in NEOM and aims to unlock an initial investment of more than SAR 1.3 billion in construction robotics.
Q: What is Okibo doing in the U.S. market?
A: Okibo is opening its U.S. headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey. The official launch of Okibo’s EG7 robot in the American market was reported on April 6, 2025. The EG7 can finish an average of 1,000 square feet per hour.
Q: What is Reconstruct known for?
A: Reconstruct markets itself as a capital asset lifecycle management system and provides 24/7 virtual site visibility to support progress monitoring and reality mapping.
Q: Does Fieldwire support fast on-site coordination?
A: Fieldwire is described as an all-in-one, as-built tool for tracking schedules and work performance in construction projects. Fieldwire enables real-time messaging and supports digitised forms for faster submission.
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Key features table
| Topic / Product | Primary function | Notable features | Numbers / Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| CupixWorks | 4D digital twin / as-built platform | AI-powered as-built 4D digital twin, 4D documentation, supports 360-degree cameras, progress tracking | Platform-level, for project teams |
| Reconstruct | Capital asset lifecycle management | 24/7 virtual site visibility, reality mapping, project snapshots, progress monitoring | Owner / builder / inspector workflows |
| Fieldwire | Field coordination and as-built tracking | Track schedules and work performance, real-time messaging, digitised forms | Field crews and supervisors |
| Buildertrend | Construction management automation | Cloud-based client portal, AI-powered progress updates, project and financial management | Claims: Buildertrend’s cloud-based tools can reduce 80% of daily phone calls (claimed) |
| Johnson Controls (Metasys) | Building automation systems for DoD | HVAC, SCADA, utility metering, fire alarm safety, contamination detection, electronic security | The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded Johnson Controls a $377.9 million contract; three-year base with options to $630 million |
| NEOM–Samsung JV | Construction robotics for rebar assembly | Robotic welding and tying, pre-manufactured reinforcement cages, factory assembly | Initial investment of more than SAR 1.3 billion; aims to reduce manual hours up to 80% and costs up to 40% |
| Okibo EG7 | Autonomous painting and drywall finishing robot | Battery-powered, AI 3D scanning and real-time modeling, zero setup, independent operation | Okibo is opening its U.S. headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey; The EG7 can finish an average of 1,000 square feet per hour; official launch reported on April 6, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Facilities Dive: Johnson Controls wins up to $630M Metasys contract
- Wikipedia: Johnson Controls
- Construction Briefing: Startup roundup — five construction tech firms raise over $100M
- Google Search: construction technology startups
- GlobeNewswire: Japan Building Automation System Forecast and Company Analysis Report 2025-2033
- Google Scholar: building automation systems Japan forecast
- NEOM: NEOM and Samsung C&T JV announcement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NEOM
- Robotics & Automation News: Okibo brings painting robot to America
- Google News: Okibo EG7 painting robot
Author: Construction NY News
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