How Smart Robotics are Revolutionizing Engineering for Construction – Trent Leinenbach & Travis Voss

In this episode of Construction Tech News, host Jeff Sample teams up with two industry leaders to discuss how automation and artificial intelligence are influencing construction workflows.Travis Voss, Director of Innovative Technology and Fabrication at SMACNA and Trent Leinenbach, Vice President of Customer Experience at Stratus joined the conversation to explore topics ranging from autonomous forklifts to AI-driven news sourcing.

The discussion also covers the introduction of CLARK, a large language model designed to assist engineers with codes and standards and analyzes the industry’s take on U.S. steel tariffs and their long-term implications for construction materials.

Key Learnings:

• Autonomous forklifts are now a reality thanks to university-led research.
• AI tools like ChatGPT can support construction pros with smarter news sourcing.
• CLARK, a new large language model, aims to assist structural engineers.
• Engineering decisions still require human oversight, even with AI input.
• Steel tariffs may stabilize local manufacturing but introduce uncertainty.
• Industry leaders support tariffs for long-term competitive advantage.
• The future of sourcing materials hinges on balancing innovation and policy.

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Show intro and episode format  

[01:41] - Autonomous forklifts and robotics in construction  

[08:39] - CLARK: AI for engineering and code support  

[10:53] - The role of LLMs and AI responsibility in engineering  

[17:25] - U.S. steel tariffs and the global materials supply chain  

NCCER: https://ambitiontheory.com/building-better-report/ 

Follow The Guest (Travis Voss)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-voss/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travis.voss.336 
• Website: https://www.constructiondorks.com/ 

Follow The Guest (Trent Leinenbach)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-leinenbach-plmb-466018177/ 
• Twitter: https://x.com/BimminAintEasy  

Reference Links: 

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bim-dead-long-live-briefish-commentary-past-present-future-olcott-jbxmf/?trackingId=XSkRE3UsQiagIlk1W4wvtw%3D%3D
• https://www.enr.com/articles/60595-steel-construction-institute-announces-ai-clark-and-supports-tariff-policies 
• https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.14331
• https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-for-worker-site-safety-in-construction-2025-4

Follow The ConTech Crew:

• Website: https://thecontechcrew.com/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBDRThvRmSpyTZmMWY4EAjg 
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contechcrew/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConTechCrew/ 
• Ins