Oculai is automating jobsite visibility, one camera at a time
Oculai is a construction tech company based in Germany that’s quietly solving a problem almost every tradesperson runs into: the lack of up-to-date progress tracking. Founded by engineers and data scientists, Oculai builds AI-powered site monitoring systems that automatically gather production data using tower crane cameras. No wearables, no drones, just the cameras already on site. That’s a huge deal for AEC teams who are tired of chasing down supervisors or digging through spreadsheets. The goal is to free up time and catch delays before they snowball.
Once installed, Oculai’s system tracks specific work steps, such as concrete pours, formwork, or façade installation. The AI learns from patterns on each site and then generates progress curves automatically, so planners can actually see if they’re behind or ahead of schedule without manually inputting any data. That saves hours of admin work every week.
One project manager quoted on Oculai’s site said, “I used to walk around with a clipboard and guess. Now I open the dashboard and know what’s done.”
Currently, the company primarily works with medium to large-scale commercial projects in Europe, particularly in high-rise construction. Their software integrates with Primavera P6 and MS Project, allowing planners to upload their schedules and receive real-time comparisons without needing to toggle between platforms. Architects and structural engineers also benefit, as the system provides a more accurate timeline of what’s actually happening on the structure—no more guessing how far along subcontractors are.
Software that is ahead of the curve
Image courtesy of https://en.oculai.de/
What makes Oculai different from other site tracking tools is that it doesn’t rely on people to input data. Many construction software platforms still require manual intervention, such as scanning QR codes, carrying sensors, or manually tagging photos. Oculai skips all that. The AI reads progress based on time-lapse images from cranes or mounted cameras. It’s fast and surprisingly specific—tracking rebar installation, scaffolding movements, or when formwork is stripped. That kind of information is invaluable for trade managers who oversee labor, plan material drops, or coordinate inspections.
The data also comes in handy when owners or investors want updates. Instead of trying to piece together what happened three weeks ago, planners can show visual progress backed by timestamps and documented work packages. This has helped reduce disputes and increase trust between contractors and clients.
Although the company is still growing, it has already worked with firms such as Züblin,
Rhomberg, and Max Bögl, some of the largest general contractors in Europe. That early trust demonstrates the product’s effectiveness in jobs that have tight timelines and complex responsibilities. From a workflow standpoint, it aligns well with lean construction principles and helps teams adhere to Takt planning schedules by surfacing real-time data without requiring additional steps.
As the AEC world moves toward smarter job site coordination, tools like Oculai may become the standard. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; it just removes a lot of the friction that makes construction coordination so frustrating. Architects don’t have to guess when structural work is done. Engineers can verify milestones without scheduling extra walkthroughs. And field teams can focus on actual work—not reporting on it.
Want to keep up with tools that make construction less chaotic? Subscribe to our newsletter and get more updates like this straight to your inbox.
