The 2024 Pro Tool Innovation Awards introduced new products with some excellent and advanced features and solutions. As technology advances, so do the tools and products that use it. Some help you track tools and manage inventory while others offer more control over your work.
Technology has become ubiquitous—even with tools. If anything, that often makes it harder to spot innovation. To guide us, we look for products that optimize performance and increase productivity. It needs to, above all, help your bottom line and/or productivity.
In addition to these productivity advancements, we look for products that aid jobsite safety and security. The solutions below represent the winning technology products selected from a wide array of 2024 Pro Tool Innovation Awards entries.
Winner – Communications
Advanced Wireless Communications Hello BLU™ Comm Badge
What they said:
The Hello BLU™ Comm Badge redefines communication devices with its innovative design and exceptional audio performance, offering a pocket-sized solution that addresses the unique challenges faced in construction, retail, warehouse, hospitality, security, and senior living industries. The Comm Badge’s ability to interface with Push-to-Talk (PTT) applications on both mobile devices and two-way radios one at a time or simultaneously, means that users can manage communications efficiently, whether they are assisting customers on the floor or coordinating with back-end staff. The device’s audio jack for optional headset use offers additional discretion when needed, maintaining clear and private communication lines. The Comm Badge stands out by combining convenience with durability and hygiene, making it ideal for environments where traditional in-ear Bluetooth solutions may fall short.
The Hello BLU™ Comm Badge is smaller, lighter, and more rugged than its competitors, featuring a weather-resistant design that withstands demanding conditions. Its compact size and attractive design are complemented by multiple mounting options, including a clip and magnet. The visible LED indicator enhances usability, offering clear signals for pairing, transmitting, receiving, and charging. Its extended battery life of over 75 hours on standby or 60 hours for standard voice communication ensures that staff can rely on it throughout their shifts without frequent recharging. Fast charging capabilities further reduce downtime, with a full charge achievable in under 6 hours or under 2 hours with fast charging via USB-C.
What we say:
The Hello BLU Comm Badge may not be quite as futuristic as a Star Trek communicator, but it’s close. This communication device goes beyond a standard Bluetooth headset, interfacing seamlessly with Push-to-Talk (PTT) apps on mobile devices and two-way radios. It enables efficient and robust communication across teams in the construction, retail, and hospitality industries. The Comm Badge is lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant. It offers over 75 hours of standby battery life and charges quickly via USB-C, ensuring reliable performance throughout long shifts.
Price: $100
For more information, click here.
Winner – General
Hilti EXO-T-22 Tool balancer
What they said:
Hilti’s new EXO-T-22 Tool balancer is a wearable, backpack-like device that helps workers perform wall-breaking with less physical exertion. Ergonomically designed and built for heavy demolition work, the Nuron-powered EXO-T-22 can support tools weighing up to 37 pounds and suspend them in a zero-gravity-like state, distributing the weight to the hips and ground, thereby reducing strain on the upper body.
What we say:
Hilti should have called this technology marvel “The Scorpion”. Alas…they did not. The EXO-T-22 Tool Balancer takes the weight off heavy tools like rotary hammers and breakers and transfers it to your waist. That means you can work for longer without fatigue. The EXO-T-22 supports tools weighing up to 37 pounds—that’s enough to hoist a TE 1000-AVR concrete breaker! This tool not only makes wall-breaking and drilling easier, it’s going to reduce injuries and allow older workers the opportunity to stay employed longer without damaging their backs over time.
Price: $1,999
For more information, click here.
Winner – Robotics
Canvas Model 1200CX
What they said:
Canvas continues to drive innovation in the walls and ceiling space with the launch of the 1200CX. This compact, lightweight, easily maneuverable machine is ideal for contractors with smaller spaces such as multi-family and tower construction projects. Weighing in at only 1200 lbs, the 1200CX can be safely used in wood frame construction. The all-wheel steering makes it easy to position, and the rechargeable battery allows the operator to work up to 8 hours untethered. At half the size, the 1200CX supplements the existing Model 1550, which at 15.5’ is attuned to taller, more open spaces. With this new platform, the Canvas fleet is now equipped to handle a broad range of building types including Multifamily Residential, Condo, Hospitality, Hospital, Datacenter, Airport, Manufacturing, Warehouse, Education, Municipal, and Office.
With the release of this new machine comes a revolutionary new software platform. The 1200CX and the 1550 share the Canvas core software, which has been dramatically improved. Featuring over-the-air (OTA) updates, Canvas systems become more productive and gain increased feature capabilities with each new software upgrade. The 1200CX and the 1550 share exciting new features like Level 4 targeted sanding and tool path optimization, ensuring the world’s fastest robotic spray and sand in drywall finishing.
Drywall finishing creates significant risks: slippery floors, working at height, airborne fine particulates, and strenuous repetitive motions. Traditionally, seams from floor to ceiling are mudded and sanded, often requiring work on mobile scissor lifts, ladders, or scaffolds, which pose fall risks. Falls are the leading construction industry injury, per OSHA. Canvas’s drywall finishing tools, with a sprayer/sander system, lift station, and vacuum sanding that eliminates 99% of dust, mitigate these risks. The tools, which can telescope to 12′ (Model 1200CX) and 15.5′ (Model 1550) high, protect workers from falls and repetitive motion injuries by handling the high work.
What we say:
The future is here. The Canvas 1200CX is a game-changer for drywall finishing. It’s designed specifically for contractors working in smaller spaces like multi-family and tower projects. Weighing just 1,200 lbs, it’s safe for wood frame construction and features all-wheel steering to get into tight spaces. A rechargeable battery offers up to 8 hours of untethered operation. Sharing core software with the larger 1550 model, the 1200CX features over-the-air updates and advanced capabilities like Level 4 sanding and tool path optimization. This tool really simplifies and automates drywall finishing, making it faster, safer, and more efficient.
Price: TBD (leased)
For more information, click here.
Winner – Software & Apps, Tool Control
Milwaukee Tool 48-11-2330 Heated Gear Power Source w/App Control
What they said:
Our Heated Gear Power Source w/ App Control powers all M12™ Heated Gear and allows you to personalize your heat zones and run-time through the Milwaukee® Heated Gear App when paired with HEXON Heat Technology™ garments. Quickly connect your mobile device to this power source with Bluetooth® to control 10 different heat levels and independent heat zone activation, enhance run-time control, and save your favorite settings for any activity or environment.
This 36W power source provides up to 12 hours of run-time on Low and 3 hours on High for M12™ Heated Gear. With USB-C bi-directional charging, the Heated Gear Power Source re-charges itself fully in 70 minutes (36W) and delivers 15W output to charge mobile devices.
What we say:
The Milwaukee M12 Heated Gear Power Source does two things really, really well. First, it provides a slim power source for Milwaukee heated gear—no more bulky M12 battery packs. Secondly, it smartly helps you get the most out of your next-gen Hexon Heat Technology workwear by “automagically” managing your remaining battery charge and the estimated time you need to finish your workday. Connect your smartphone or tablet to the power source via Bluetooth, and you can control up to 10 different heat levels with independent zone activation. You can even save your favorite settings for any activity, job type, or environment. This 36W power source provides up to 12 hours of run-time on Low and 3 hours on High for M12 Heated Gear and features USB-C bi-directional charging.
Price: $100
For more information, click here.