Buildots creates a live, visual representation of your project, which is called a digital twin, by combining standard construction deliverables of 3D model and construction schedule with real-world site captures. These inputs are integrated into a single, data-driven system that helps teams stay ahead, avoid delays, and manage construction based on actual performance.
This setup happens entirely inside Buildots, using both AI automation and expert review. By the end of this process, the system is fully configured and ready to start tracking progress once 360° captures begin.
Here’s how it works — start to finish:
Turning the BIM Model into Buildots' Internal Database
The BIM model is uploaded and converted into a structured digital representation. This includes reading model geometry and project-wide parameters (such as location, identity data, or discipline-specific tags), and preparing it for linking and tracking. This stage creates the technical foundation for the rest of the setup process.
Creating the Project Framework
After processing the model, Buildots defines the full physical structure of the project — starting with buildings, levels and areas which are the smallest units used for tracking.
This hierarchical structure reflects the actual layout of the site and provides the foundation for organizing, filtering, and analyzing progress data.
Defining Activities
Once the project framework is in place, Buildots defines the Activities that will be tracked — each one representing a real trade visit on site.
This process begins by analyzing the construction schedule to understand how the work is planned to progress. Activities are defined to reflect meaningful scopes of work that align with how work is actually carried out on site — not just how it appears in the schedule.
Each activity is assigned to a Trade and connected to the relevant Segments, which represent how the activity will unfold across different parts of the project. These links ensure that Buildots can track when and where work is expected to happen, based on actual site realities.
Grouping Model Elements
Once activities have been defined, Buildots groups relevant model elements into Element Types — physical units that the system can recognize and track as work is completed on site.
These groupings are typically based on modeling properties such as category, family, type name, or system classification, and are adjusted to reflect how elements are installed in practice.
This process ensures that each activity is connected to the right set of elements where applicable. It supports accurate progress tracking and allows Buildots to detect installation status automatically using visual data.
Setup Deliverables
By the end of the setup phase, the Buildots system has transformed the project’s inputs into a working digital twin:
The digital twin is live and configured within Buildots, fully aligned with the project’s current model and schedule.
The system is now fully prepared to track each activity and measure its progress using visual data.
Each activity is linked to its corresponding Trade, Area, and Segment, creating a clear structure for tracking and reporting.
All logic, workflows, and groupings have been defined, and the system is ready to begin automated tracking as soon as the first captures are uploaded.
This marks the point where the digital twin can begin producing accurate, actionable data aligned with how the project is managed on site.