BIMprove · Project

Real-Time Digital Twins That Track Construction Progress and Cut Costly Delays

constructionPilotedTRL 6

bimprove-h2020.eu

Imagine a construction site where every wall, pipe, and worker is mirrored in a live 3D model on the project manager's screen. BIMprove built a system that uses drones, robots, and sensors to automatically scan what's actually been built and compare it to the plan — in real time. When something goes off-track, you know immediately instead of discovering it weeks later. Think of it like GPS navigation for an entire building site: it constantly recalculates based on where things actually are.

By the numbers

Annual productivity growth in European construction over the past 20 years

20 years

Period of stagnant productivity referenced in the project rationale

Consortium partners across the project

Countries represented in the consortium (CH, DE, ES, FI, NO)

Total project deliverables produced

46%

Industry partner ratio in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

European construction has been stuck at just 1% annual productivity growth for 20 years — dead last among major industries. The core issue is that site managers cannot see in real time what has actually been built versus what was planned, leading to late discovery of errors, wasted materials, and dangerous working conditions. Construction desperately needs to move beyond static 3D models into live, continuously updated digital representations of the building process.

The solution

What was built

BIMprove delivered a cloud-based digital twin platform that uses autonomous tracking systems — including drones (UAVs), mobile robots, and sensors — to continuously monitor construction progress and update the BIM model in real time. The system includes anonymous personnel tracking for safety optimization, personalized interfaces (wearable alerts, VR visualizations), and was demonstrated on site through 25 deliverables including benchmarked technology demonstrations across multiple development cycles.

Audience

Who needs this

General contractors managing complex building projects with tight schedulesInfrastructure developers overseeing large-scale civil engineering worksConstruction technology companies looking to add real-time tracking to their BIM platformsProperty developers wanting better cost and timeline control on new buildsOccupational safety teams responsible for construction site worker protection

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Commercial Construction

enterprise

Target: General contractors and construction management firms

If you are a general contractor dealing with schedule overruns and cost blowouts because deviations from the plan go unnoticed for weeks — this project developed an automated progress monitoring system using drones and mobile robots that continuously compares actual site conditions against the BIM model. With European construction productivity growing at only 1% annually over the past 20 years, this kind of real-time deviation tracking addresses the root cause of most delays.

Infrastructure Development

mid-size

Target: Civil engineering firms managing large-scale projects

If you are a civil engineering firm struggling to coordinate resources across sprawling job sites — BIMprove built a cloud-based digital twin that anonymously tracks personnel locations to optimize workforce allocation and material flow. The system was demonstrated on site with industrial partners and tested through multiple development cycles ending at M13, M19, and M25, providing personalized interfaces including wearable alerts for safety and VR visualizations for managers.

Construction Technology

SME

Target: BIM software providers and construction tech integrators

If you are a construction technology company looking to extend your BIM platform beyond static 3D models — BIMprove created a service-oriented, multi-layered cloud architecture designed so extensions can be added at any time. With 13 consortium partners including 3 SMEs and 6 industrial companies across 5 countries, the system was built to integrate with existing workflows rather than replace them.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this cost to implement on our construction sites?

The project data does not include specific pricing or licensing costs. BIMprove is a cloud-based service-oriented system, which typically means subscription-based pricing rather than large upfront investment. Contact the coordinator through SciTransfer for current commercialization terms.

Can this scale to large or multiple construction sites?

BIMprove was designed as a cloud-based, multi-layered system that enables extensions to be added at any time. The architecture supports multiple user groups through personalized interfaces — from wearable devices for on-site workers to VR visualizations for site managers. The consortium tested across partners in 5 countries.

Who owns the IP and how can we license this technology?

The project was funded as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) coordinated by SINTEF Manufacturing AS in Norway, with 13 partners across 5 countries. IP is typically shared among consortium members under H2020 rules. SciTransfer can facilitate introductions to discuss licensing arrangements.

Does this comply with construction safety regulations?

BIMprove includes anonymous personnel location tracking specifically designed to optimize safety and the flow of people on construction sites. The system provides wearable device alerts, which can support compliance with site safety requirements. Based on available project data, specific regulatory certifications are not detailed.

How long would it take to integrate with our existing BIM software?

BIMprove was built as a service-oriented system with a multi-layered structure specifically designed so that extensions can be added at any time. This modular approach suggests integration with existing BIM workflows was a core design priority. The consortium included 6 industrial partners who validated the system on real sites.

Is there ongoing technical support available?

The project ran from September 2020 to August 2023 and is now closed. SINTEF Manufacturing AS coordinated the consortium and would be the primary contact for post-project support or commercialization. Based on available project data, ongoing support arrangements would need to be discussed directly.

What is the project timeline and current status?

BIMprove ran for 3 years (2020-2023) and is now closed. Technology demonstrations were updated through multiple cycles ending at M13, M19, and M25. The system was demonstrated on site with benchmarking and evaluation by all industrial partners.

Consortium

Who built it

BIMprove's 13-partner consortium is well balanced for a construction technology project, with 6 industrial companies (46%) ensuring the technology was tested against real job-site conditions. The 4 research organizations and 2 universities provided the scientific backbone, while 3 SMEs brought agility. Spread across 5 countries — Norway, Germany, Spain, Finland, and Switzerland — the consortium covers key European construction markets. Coordinated by SINTEF Manufacturing AS, a major Norwegian applied research institute, the project had credible leadership. The inclusion of industrial partners who participated in on-site benchmarking and demonstration gives this project stronger commercial credibility than purely academic efforts.

SINTEF MANUFACTURING ASCoordinator · NO
SINTEF ASthirdparty · NO
VIAS Y CONSTRUCCIONES SAparticipant · ES
CATENDA ASparticipant · NO
UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGARTparticipant · DE
ZURCHER HOCHSCHULE FUR ANGEWANDTE WISSENSCHAFTENparticipant · CH
ROBOTNIK AUTOMATION SLparticipant · ES
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYparticipant · FI
DIN DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FUER NORMUNG EVparticipant · DE
AUSTRALO INTERINNOV MARKETING LAB SLparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

SINTEF Manufacturing AS (Norway) — contact via SciTransfer for introduction

Order a report on this consortium See SINTEF MANUFACTURING AS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how BIMprove's real-time construction tracking could work on your sites? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the development team and help evaluate fit for your operations.

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