Digital Catapult’s intervention in the construction industry will address key challenges by convening capabilities with the three industry leaders and ten innovators on deploying AI solutions
Digital Catapult, a deep tech innovation organisation, has welcomed ten AI-led startups to its accelerator programme as part of the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme, aimed at driving the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI) in high-growth sectors, such as construction.
The cohort will address operational inefficiencies in the UK’s construction industry by collaborating with Foster + Partners, Versarien PLC and Buro Happold, to assess how AI-driven innovation could be applied to solve sector-specific challenges.
Over 2,500 organisations are working with the programme
The Innovate UK BridgeAI programme is delivered by Innovate UK, Digital Catapult, The Alan Turing Institute, the Hartree Centre (STFC) and the British Standards Institution (BSI), focusing on sectors with high growth potential but low adoption rates.
This is one of the several interventions delivered by Digital Catapult to enable deep tech startups to develop and commercialise their solutions, helping them to scale faster and bring their products to market more effectively.
AI solutions have an unlimited number of applications in UK construction
Digital Catapult’s intervention in the construction industry will address key challenges by convening capabilities with the three industry leaders and ten innovators. These challenges range from design and compliance to the integration of 3D construction printing and enhanced collaboration. By developing and deploying AI-driven solutions on the programme, Digital Catapult will drive the adoption of deep tech innovation in the sector, and unlock new economic opportunities, including construction optimisation.
AIConstruct is developing a parametric script generator for 3D printing in construction, Planninghub is enhancing its AI assistant for residential planning applications, and DONAA is prototyping a tool that combines sensor data and computer vision to assess material durability. Planarific is testing the use of aerial imagery for generating enriched 3D retrofit models and Gpeto AI is advancing its AI evaluation framework and model performance, ensuring that high-performing AI-tools are ready for real-world construction applications.
Several startups on the programme are also advancing AI tools to streamline construction workflows and improve decision making:
- Lattice is enhancing its AI capabilities for generative design, predictive maintenance, and better data exchange.
- Fairware is prototyping CliqAI, a real-time platform for materials insight and design for manufacturing analysis.
- BOHM is upgrading its decentralised data environment with automated ISO 19650 parsing, ChatTwin integration for intelligent queries, and AI-driven data segregation.
- Infinitive is developing an AI configurator for modular panelised systems, enabling generative design based on user inputs.
- Constructify is continuing work on its AI-powered, end-to-end project management platform.
With building costs projected to rise by 17% over the next five years and minimal growth in output expected, the construction sector faces mounting pressure to apply deep tech innovation to address process challenges and productivity hurdles.
By adopting AI-driven innovations, the industry can modernise practices, optimise resources and boost productivity.
For more updates on the cohort, you can register your interest to attend the showcase event here.
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