April Roundup 2025

May 6, 2025

They say ‘April showers bring May flowers’—but here at 4M, those showers have blossomed into a garden of fresh features, bold launches, and quick‑win improvements to help you plan smarter, move faster and work safer.

And we boiled it all down in this months roundup so you can skim, learn, and move forward with confidence.

NEW FEATURES AND UPDATES

Object Detection

Object Detection uses computer vision to automatically identify above-ground utility objects—like manholes, inlets, valves, pedestals, and fire hydrants—and visually verifies them using aerial imagery, dash cam footage, and Google Street View. This isn’t just about seeing more—it’s about knowing it’s there.

With our latest release, Object Detection now lets you:

Identify: Poles, manholes, valves, hydrants, inlets, and pedestals
Classify: Instantly distinguish pole types—traffic, electric, or streetlight
Validate: Confirm objects with time-stamped imagery and Google Street View
Verify: Deploy field teams with clear targets for on-site confirmation and QA/QC

Now detecting 85% of utility objects with 95% accuracy, so you can plan smarter, move faster, and reduce field visits—across planning, design, and pre-construction.

Your team can use Object Detection to:

Locate fire hydrants tied to critical water mains—when records fall short
Surface key utility features early to avoid late-stage redesigns
Unblock utility coordination workflows in hours, not months
Cut field time in half with verified onsite targets
Build more accurate bids with trusted object-level utility data

Whether you're scoping a bid, confirming a design, or prepping for field work—Object Detection helps you make faster, better decisions with data you can trust.

➡️ Learn more: [Support Article]

Utility Insights Dashboard

The Utility Insights Dashboard helps civil engineering teams quickly assess utility risks within their projects. Powered by 4M's GenAI Agent, it analyzes utility locations, ROW, parcel zoning, and crossings, flagging potential conflicts that teams can click on to diagnose directly in the map.

Key insights from the dashboard include:

Risk Assessment – AI-powered risk summaries to accelerate decision-making.
High-Risk Crossings – Flag critical crossings like gas and high-voltage lines.
Parcel Impact – Identify parcels requiring easements or right-of-entry approvals.
ROW Analysis – Identify utilities inside or outside ROW for permitting and relocation impact.

Your team can use Utility Insights Dashboard to:

Surface complex utility conditions early to avoid unviable routes
Identify ROW conflicts and high-risk parcels in seconds
Flag off-ROW utilities to anticipate costly easement delays
Improve proposal accuracy with early conflict visibility
Reduce redesigns by aligning designs with real-world constraints

Whether you're planning a route, preparing a bid, or kicking off design—the Utility Insights Dashboard helps you de-risk decisions early, stay ahead of surprises, and keep projects moving forward.

➡️ Learn more: [Support Article]

See You Next Month

For more detailed insights and to stay updated on our latest features, visit our help center page. We will see you next month with another stack of exciting updates from 4M's Utility AI Platform.

Chris Garafola

With over a decade of experience spanning agencies and innovative startups, Chris is a dedicated content marketing leader, driven by the belief that content isn't just about consumption; it's about leaving a lasting impact on the person who engages with it. Inspired by 4M's mission to create the first online database of subsurface utilities in the U.S., Chris is eager to illuminate one of the infrastructure industry's most pressing issues and champion innovative solutions that deeply resonate with general contractors and civil engineers to address these challenges.