From Innovation to Adoption

The widespread deployment of screw pile foundations in the industry faces hurdles. Without precise measurements and correct documentation, the technology faces resistance from regulators and insurers due to load-bearing capacity concerns.

Construction companies need a reliable, automated system that ensures alignment with building regulations and eliminates the risks of over/under dimensioning, incorrect placement, or installation failures—all while minimizing documentation to ease the transition from traditional concrete structures to the much more green alternative that screw piles offer.

Pilar in Brief

Pilar, winner of the prestigious Velux and Villum Foundation’s Building Component Prize (2023), is a visionary force in the construction sector. Born from cutting-edge research at Aalborg University, the company bridges academic excellence with practical application in its mission to revolutionize sustainable construction through technology.

Smarttorq: Transforming Screw Pile Installation

To address the hurdles screw piles face in conquering the market, Pilar developed an innovative cloud-based SaaS solution combined with an advanced IoT measuring and guidance system. The IoT Smarttorq Unit is a revolutionary IoT system designed to enhance screw pile foundation installations by using high-precision sensors and advanced algorithms to measure stress, depth, and torsion in drilling equipment. While also utilising edge computing to give live feedback to the installer and mitigate risk and errors. It fills a critical industry gap: the lack of a precise method for measuring key installation parameters.

Recognising the need for a technology partner, Pilar partnered with Seluxit, now part of Wirtek, to build a new IoT-powered solution for the Smarttorq Unit, integrating high-precision sensor technology and advanced software. Wirtek’s expertise in smart systems, software development, and hardware is key to delivering accurate measurement, real-time optimisation, and seamless calibration of drilling equipment.

The new IoT Smarttorq Unit is engineered for resilience and uncompromised performance in the toughest environments, such as construction sites, where dirt, weather, and heavy mechanical impacts push equipment to its limits.

Through ongoing R&D and hardware prototyping, the two companies are creating an industrialised sensor-equipped system capable of detecting the smallest variations in installing measurements, preventing failures, and ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable installation.

“Developing a first-of-its-kind innovative IoT device is not a straightforward process. Obstacles and challenges arise that require altering plans and theories. Wirtek’s expertise and adaptability in overcoming these challenges have been crucial in developing a state-of-the-art IoT device, all while ensuring we stay on schedule. Their support has meant that we did not fail in our quest to create an IoT device that can be used universally among all screw pile installers while also being reliable and robust enough to withstand the tough environments it will face.”

Mikkel Ibsen, CEO & Co-Founder Pilar

Pioneering a New Standard in Construction Quality

Although still in development, Pilar’s collaboration with Wirtek enables the creation of the world’s first comprehensive monitoring device for screw pile installations, demonstrating its value to a broader audience.

This state-of-the-art geotechnical engineering tool sets a new standard for quality assurance in construction by accurately capturing the parameters needed to document screw pile installations fully:

• Compliance & Structural Reliability – Real-time monitoring captures torsion, speed, advancement ratio, and depth, ensuring reliable installation and regulatory approval.
• Automation & Faster Construction – IoT-powered measurement streamlines the installation process and minimises the risk of errors, leading to faster project completions.
• Sustainability & Cost Savings – Optimised material use reduces waste, lowers costs, and supports greener construction practices.

This scientifically validated solution makes screw pile foundations a reliable and scalable alternative to concrete, helping the construction industry achieve sustainability goals while maintaining top performance and safety standards. By driving the adoption of this new technology, it is transforming development practices in construction and contributing to a greener planet—a transition Wirtek actively supports through this partnership.

Unlocking Growth in Clean Tech Solutions

Wirtek has become a trusted partner to Pilar, reinforcing its strategic expansion beyond traditional IT services into scalable, high-impact solutions. Wirtek’s acquisition of Seluxit and Pragmasoft further accelerates its growth in IoT, automation, and subscription-based revenue models.

By collaborating with Pilar, Wirtek strengthens its commitment to Clean and Green Energy, positioning itself in the rapidly expanding IoT in the Energy market—forecasted to reach $746 billion by 2032 (CAGR 19.2%). This growth is driven by rising demand for energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and next-generation sustainable technology solutions.

This partnership between Pilar and Wirtek is paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future in construction, bringing the industry one step closer to carbon neutrality.

Technologies and Frameworks

• ESP-IDF Espressif IoT Development Framework
• High pression analog data acquisition 
• WiFi
• Sensor fusion, 9 - DOF
• Battery powered device
  
  

Tools

• Altium / KiCad for Schematic and PCB
  
  

Key results

• 85% CO₂ reduction compared to traditional concrete foundations.
• Integrated SaaS solution for seamless data capture and compliance monitoring.
• Optimized installation process, minimizing material waste and reducing project costs.
• 98% time reduction in installing foundations with screw piles compared to concrete processes like pouring and curing.