Welcome to COGITO, an EU-funded research and innovation project with the full title “Construction phase digital twin model”, supported under the Horizon 2020 programme (Grant Agreement No. 958310).
The COGITO project focuses on one of the most critical and complex stages of construction projects: the construction phase itself. While digitalisation in construction has traditionally focused on design and planning, COGITO addresses the real-world challenges that occur on active infrastructure construction sites, where safety risks, quality issues, and workflow disruptions are most common.
Why COGITO?
Despite technological progress, the construction industry still struggles with fragmented processes, disconnected digital tools, and limited real-time visibility on site. COGITO aims to overcome these limitations by introducing a real-time Digital Twin of construction projects, specifically tailored to the needs of the construction phase.
This Digital Twin is not just a static 3D model. It is a living digital representation that reflects what is happening on site in real time. By integrating data from multiple sources and systems, the Digital Twin allows stakeholders to monitor progress, detect risks early, and make informed decisions faster.
COGITO places strong emphasis on interoperability, ensuring that different tools, platforms, and technologies can work together within a unified digital ecosystem. In parallel, the project follows Lean Construction principles, aiming to reduce waste, improve coordination, and enhance value creation across construction workflows.
To learn more about the project background and objectives, visit the About COGITO page.
Digital Twins and Construction 4.0
COGITO seeks to materialise the benefits of digitalisation in construction by harmonising Digital Twins with the Building Information Model (BIM) concept. The result is a practical Construction 4.0 toolbox that supports day-to-day decision-making on infrastructure construction sites.
The toolbox developed within COGITO addresses three key areas:
- Safety: Early identification of hazards and timely mitigation to protect workers
- Quality: Rapid detection of defects and improved documentation processes
- Workflow Management: Real-time monitoring and optimisation of construction activities
The project outcomes are documented and made publicly available through reports and materials accessible in the COGITO Library.
Just as data-driven platforms are transforming complex industries, similar principles of real-time monitoring, interoperability, and transparency can also be observed in other highly regulated digital environments. For example, new german online casinos increasingly rely on advanced digital infrastructures to ensure compliance, user safety, and operational efficiency. Like COGITO’s construction-phase Digital Twin, these platforms benefit from integrated systems, live data processing, and clear workflows that support informed decision-making and risk reduction in dynamic, real-world setting
Latest News
COGITO regularly shares updates on project milestones, tool development, and dissemination activities.
Comprehensive Reports on 14 COGITO Tools Delivered
Throughout the project, 14 comprehensive reports have been produced, each describing a specific tool developed to improve safety, quality, and workflow management on construction sites. These reports provide detailed insights into the development, implementation, and expected impact of the tools.
Advancements in Construction Safety and Efficiency with COGITO
COGITO has delivered a complete set of 14 digital tools designed to enhance construction safety, enable early detection of quality defects, and support real-time workflow management. Together, these tools contribute to safer, more efficient, and more transparent construction processes.
Read more updates on the News page.
Consortium and Partners
The COGITO project is implemented by a strong consortium of industrial and academic partners from across Europe. This collaboration ensures that research outcomes are grounded in real construction practice and supported by scientific expertise.
An overview of all participating organisations can be found on the Partners page.
Stay Connected
If you would like to receive updates about the COGITO project, you can subscribe via the Subscribe page or reach out through the Contact page.
COGITO – materialising the digitalisation benefits for the construction industry to unleash the untapped potential in productivity improvement and increased safety.