AECOM X Google Cloud hackathon: Leveraging data to solve infrastructure’s biggest issues
The world of infrastructure is changing. Traditional engineering design methods are being rapidly eclipsed by digital twins, immersive imagery and tools to capitalize on the volumes of useful data that redefine modern engineering delivery. This evolution is evident as our teams tackle opportunities to reimagine, create and deliver a new wave of smart and sustainable infrastructure possibilities. We can’t do it alone though – collaboration is the gateway to unlocking potential in this new era.
In this spirit of teamwork, Google Cloud and AECOM are co-sponsoring a hackathon at Google’s Playa Vista campus starting today. Several of AECOM’s key clients, forward-thinking engineers and data scientists, and the Google Cloud team will be creating solutions to industry opportunities over this three-day event. Specifically, we’ll be exploring the role of data science in predicting transportation safety performance, automating the interpretation of CCTV sewer network data and empowering AECOM engineers to train AI/ML models relevant to their everyday work. I’m excited to see what happens. There is no single correct outcome to any of the challenges and the results of this problem-solving session will add new colors to a canvas of possibilities.
AECOM and Google have worked together for years. AECOM is a trusted provider of planning, design and engineering services to Google across a variety of large-scale programs. Our two companies share cultural values and readily adapt to market change. We have technical organizations that are oriented to find proactive solutions and we seek innovation in all that we do. Now, we’re working with Google Cloud to enhance our offerings with the power of data. The amount of data that AECOM collects on projects provides invaluable insights into the condition, life expectancy, quality and use of the infrastructure we create. By leveraging this data across markets, geographies, and our many thousands of projects, AECOM offers our clients unparalleled value through the Google CloudPlatform.
With a focus on data as our foundation, AECOM and Google Cloud are also exploring the utility of GCP, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning, Maps and other Google Cloud products to offer AECOM’s engineering expertise to clients at scale. Assessing infrastructure, delivering generative design solutions and solving real-world engineering problems through artificial intelligence are just a few of the trajectories of which AECOM’s engineering expertise, paired with Google’s Cloud computing power, have the potential to accelerate.
The future of infrastructure success will be built on data in the hands of experts who know how to elevate and apply that information to anticipate needs and deliver meaningful results. This week’s hackathon will be an early exploration of what’s possible. I’m looking forward to sharing more about this event with Google Cloud as our journey continues.