French firm turns concrete into a data-sharing smart device

The concrete includes an electronic device that interacts with smartphones, communicating everything from building plans to the last time the plumber visited

Spotted: French 360Smart Connect uses a patented electronic chip that turns concrete into a smart device. The chip allows builders, contractors and clients to access construction-related-data from the concrete using a smartphone. 

The company says their device fills a gap in how data is used in construction. While there is plenty of information available in any given building project, it is often difficult to track.

360Smart Connect uses Near-field communication to communicate with smartphones at a short distance (roughly 4 cm). The device is directly inserted into the construction material, such as concrete. This turns the walls of a house, outside facade or the foundations of a building into a smart device that can pass on data.

360Smart Connect functions as a “digital logbook of the building”, the company says. It allows smartphones to access customised data relating to the building and its construction. That data can provide insight into all aspects of the construction process, from the materials used to building details and even maintenance dates.