Otto: The AI-powered 'Do-bot' Transforming Construction Workflows

This was a very big day for construction.

Picture this: stepping into your construction office or site, where your words don't just linger in the air; they spring into action, things get done, faster, more accurately and almost like magic. This isn't a scene from a futuristic novel; it's today's reality, thanks to the revolutionary force Briq launched yesterday named Otto (Otto like Auto, get it :). Otto is unlike any tool the construction industry has seen, Otto is rewriting the rulebook of construction tech, propelling us into a new era where AI doesn't just assist; it executes.

What Makes Otto Revolutionary?

At its core, Otto transcends the conventional boundaries of what we've come to expect from technology in construction. Dubbed more than a chatbot, Otto is a 'do-bot'—a term that captures its essence as a proactive executor of tasks. While traditional bots have been limited to answering queries and providing information, Otto stands apart by embodying the capability to act on commands. Briq has built 100s of AI based workflows that function across 100s of systems, executing over 1.4 million workflows last year alone. This power marks a significant evolution in construction tech, offering a glimpse into a future where digital assistants play a central role in project execution.

The Power of Action-Oriented AI

Otto is the brainchild of a robust AI automation platform, designed to execute instructions, learn from interactions, and operate as an extension of the workforce. In the past, the actions performed by robotic workers in construction were either event-triggered or manually initiated by administrators. Otto revolutionizes this approach by democratizing the power of automation, putting it directly in the hands of those on the ground—engineers, project managers, and field workers.

Consider the transformative potential Otto brings to routine tasks such as request for information (RFI) management. Traditional project management chatbots might offer content creation or even generate an RFI document. However, Otto elevates this process by not only assisting in RFI creation but also by seamlessly integrating actions across multiple systems. With Otto's intervention, tracking a potential change order (PCO) based on an RFI becomes an automated process, simultaneously updating both the PM and accounting systems.

Simplifying Complexity

The true power of Otto lies in its ability to simplify the complex digital ecosystem that construction professionals navigate daily. The construction industry has been flooded by a multitude of applications and software platforms, each with its learning curve and interface. Otto coupled with Briq's AI Digital Workers already have a comprehensive understanding of these platforms. This means that users no longer need to master each application. Instead, they can communicate their needs directly to Otto, which then executes the necessary actions across the appropriate platforms. No more logging in and out, dumping data and importing it, or worse not do anything at all.

Empowering the Workforce: "I want to do the right thing, it's just too hard."

By streamlining interactions and automating task execution, Otto fundamentally changes how construction professionals engage with technology. Construction is an amazing industry and the people in it are some of the best I've ever met - they all want to do the right things for their clients, projects and shareholders. But you know what - we've made doing the right thing very very hard because of the lack of standard workflows, the dozens of applications and home grown spreadsheets. Otto shifts the focus from learning how to use software to simply communicating needs and objectives. When these needs and objectives are properly communicated Otto simply 'does' the work. This shift not only enhances efficiency but also reduces the cognitive load on workers, allowing them to concentrate on higher-level strategic and creative tasks. In essence, Otto becomes a digital extension of the workforce, amplifying their capabilities and enabling them to achieve more with less effort.

Looking Ahead

The introduction of Otto into the construction industry is a milestone moment, signifying a leap towards a more integrated, efficient, and intelligent approach to running a construction company. As construction companies begin to adopt and adapt to Otto's capabilities, we can anticipate a ripple effect of innovation, with improved project outcomes, reduced inefficiencies, and a new standard for what technology can achieve in the construction realm.

In the end, Otto is not just a tool; it's the future where technology and human ingenuity converge, creating a construction industry that is not only more productive but also more inventive. With Otto, the construction industry takes a significant step forward, moving from the age of information to the era of action.