The Project
Construction projects in heavy civil engineering demand careful attention to every detail. A poorly documented bridge inspection or foundation pour can result in significant rework expenses today and potential issues years down the line. For many years, the industry has treated critical site photos rather casually. These important records often end up scattered across personal phones, lost in disorganized folders, or entirely separated from the project plans.
This is the story behind Filio. It began in the labs of the Georgia Institute of Technology, widely regarded as one of America’s leading engineering schools. In 2018, two PhD researchers, Mahdi Roozbahani with expertise in computational science and computer vision, and Fikret Atalay in geotechnical engineering, identified this significant shortfall in the renowned School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. While Silicon Valley pursued trendy consumer applications, these Georgia Tech experts examined a problem that costs the industry billions each year: photos lacking reliable evidence of location, direction, and context.
They understood that job site photos are more than mere snapshots. They serve as essential evidence. That insight led them to develop Filio, transforming standard smartphones into precise instruments comparable to those used for monitoring dams and bridges.
The Challenge
Every year, the construction industry grapples with a substantial hidden expense. Billions of dollars are wasted in legal disputes and change orders simply because documentation falls short on proof. Consider a superintendent capturing a photo of rebar before a concrete pour. Months later, when questioned about the exact location, direction, or timing, the response is often no. Those gaps lead directly to millions in claims that prove difficult to defend.
Everyone carries phones with capable cameras, GPS, and compass features. However, these tools were seldom combined effectively for construction needs. Photos frequently remained detached from blueprints, fueling ongoing debates over fundamentals: Where was this captured? What direction did it face? What does it actually depict?
Much of the available software originates from sales-driven teams hiring developers. These products often excel in presentations but underperform when evidence must withstand legal scrutiny. Larger enterprise systems typically carry costs of $50,000 and above, yet they commonly fall short on the level of reliability needed for genuine challenges. The Georgia Tech researchers sought a different approach, one created by professionals who truly understand courtroom standards.
The Solution
Filio did not emerge from polished marketing discussions. It developed through dedicated academic research at Georgia Tech, linking real job site conditions to accurate digital plans. Mahdi and Fikret leveraged their knowledge to design algorithms that utilize phone sensors in the manner of professional surveying equipment.
When capturing a photo with Filio:
- It automatically records precise satellite coordinates (latitude/longitude).
- It captures the exact compass bearing (azimuth) of the view.
- Built-in AI transcribes spoken voice notes accurately, even amid site noise, and attaches the text to the precise spot on the blueprint.
- Photos connect directly to uploaded plans and GIS maps, creating clear, interactive reports.
This produces reliable, unalterable records that stand firm under review. Rather than elaborate features for appearance, Filio prioritizes the accuracy essential for disputes. At approximately $20 per month, similar to a Netflix subscription, teams gain access to advanced university research without the high costs of traditional enterprise solutions.
Implementation
Starting with Filio is simple. Upload project blueprints to the dashboard one time, then provide the mobile app to field personnel. The learning process is minimal, with the app offering natural guidance. On site, documentation happens quickly: capture the image, voice your notes, and allow the sensors to manage the details.
Early applications, informed by Georgia Tech’s geotechnical work on projects like bridges and foundations, allowed teams to handle hundreds of inspections with ease. Tasks that previously involved time-consuming manual entries, such as recording “minor settlement at east abutment,” now link automatically to the correct plan location. Report creation requires only a few clicks, transforming scattered photos into strong, persuasive evidence.
Results and Impact
The impact has been substantial. Users shift from disorganized collections to intelligent, accessible assets. They dedicate less time to searching records and encounter fewer vulnerable claims. The industry’s broad multi-billion-dollar documentation losses begin to diminish, helping avoid costly rework and legal issues.
Clients appreciate the difference as well. Rather than relying on trust alone, teams present interactive maps and reports that verify every detail. Change orders decrease, projects conclude more quickly, and confidence grows across the board. As one superintendent noted: “Filio didn’t just organize our photos. It armored our projects with proof that speaks for itself.”
Ultimately, this delivers Georgia Tech-level rigor to daily work, aligning with the standards expected for vital infrastructure, as demonstrated in the university’s innovative research initiatives.
Looking Ahead
Filio illustrates the strength of innovation driven by engineers. Directly from Georgia Tech labs to sites across the globe, it offers robust protection through superior data. Interested in bringing this level of reliability to your projects? Contact the Filio team today to learn how Filio can improve your documentation.
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