New AI tool delivers accurate jobsite updates in minutes, saving time and reducing risk
DroneDeploy Introduces AI-Powered Construction Progress Tool
DroneDeploy has announced the launch of Progress AI, an artificial intelligence tool that automates construction progress tracking from drone and 360-degree camera data. Designed to replace time-consuming manual updates, Progress AI generates fast and reliable progress reports at a fraction of the cost of traditional tools.
“Progress AI” provides real-time visibility into jobsite conditions using visual intelligence, helping construction teams cut down on paperwork and make better decisions faster. “With Progress AI, all project stakeholders superintendents can get a complete view of progress across every floor, every trade, in minutes, not hours,” said James Stripe Pipe, Chief Product Officer at DroneDeploy.
From Walkthroughs to Insights in Minutes
Typical progress tracking relies on manual notes, hand-marked drawings, and occasional site photos. This process can miss key issues and slow down decisions. Progress AI changes this by using vision-language models trained on billions of square feet of real-world data.
Users can upload images from drones or 360-degree cameras. Within minutes, Progress AI identifies what has been built, where, and by whom—without requiring Building Information Modeling (BIM) or special setup.
The platform delivers “95% accurate progress reports,” turning simple photo captures into usable data. This helps project teams reduce the time spent chasing updates and allows them to focus on the work itself.
Ask Questions, Get Answers
One of Progress AI’s standout features is its natural-language interface. Team members can ask questions by voice or text and receive instant answers.
“The superintendent can simply ask, ‘How much did our drywall partner get done this week?’ ‘Where are we behind on drywall this week?’ and Progress AI will surface the facts directly from last night’s site capture,” Stripe Pipe explained.
This removes the need to wait for weekly meetings or track down individual reports. Information is always available and up to date.
Affordable, Scalable, and Easy to Use
Progress AI offers several advantages over older systems:
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Speed: Reports are ready within minutes of image upload.
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Cost: It is priced to scale across entire portfolios, not just flagship projects.
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Simplicity: No BIM model or complex setup required.
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Intelligence: AI understands visual data, including what’s been installed and how work is progressing.
The tool works well across project sizes and types—from hospitals to solar farms—and gives superintendents, managers, and executives an easy way to track and manage progress.
Customer Reactions Highlight Real-World Impact
Users at Wharton-Smith Construction Group have already seen benefits from using Progress AI.
“Progress AI is like having an extra superintendent – capturing everything, seeing everything, analyzing everything, so nothing gets missed,” said Cayman Wilson, Project Engineer.
“We caught a framing issue with a door install just by reviewing the Progress AI walkthrough. That saved us hours – maybe days – of rework,” added Colton McVety, Digital Documentation Specialist.
Tripp Lytle, Assistant Project Manager, shared: “Progress AI helps us coordinate trades better. You can see where crews are falling behind and instantly adjust the plan.”
Availability and Access
Progress AI is currently in early access and will become widely available in October as an add-on for DroneDeploy Aerial and Ground customers. To learn more or join the waitlist, visit: www.dronedeploy.com/product/progress-ai.
About DroneDeploy
DroneDeploy is a leading platform for reality capture and field automation. It combines drones, ground robots, and AI to help teams in construction, energy, agriculture, and other industries work faster and safer. Learn more at www.dronedeploy.com.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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