Hey NAPA gets new features, avatar name: Meet Mac Adam
Enhancements to NAPA’s asphalt pavement research assistant over the summer put more power in the hands of users as they continue utilizing Hey NAPA for answering their asphalt related questions.
NAPA & XBE, the member company behind the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Hey NAPA, announced the new features during the NAPA 2024 Midyear Meeting in Brooklyn, New York in July. The announcement came as NAPA revealed the results of its Hey NAPA avatar-naming contest, which saw more than 50 participants suggest names for the green-booted AI mascot.
Hey NAPA’s avatar.
Meet Mac Adam, NAPA’s visual representation of the helpful Hey NAPA large-language model (LLM) trained on decades of NAPA & National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) research. The name is inspired by Scottish civil engineer and roadbuilding pioneer John Loudon McAdam, who first came up with the concept for creating smooth pavements through the use of crushed stone and layered aggregates. His name also shows up in the formal name for tarmac, Tar Macadam.
Mac Adam represents the ready resources available to Hey NAPA users, which can be personalized even more now that the AI chatbot supports custom instructions, which can prevent users from reminding the LLM of factors to consider in answers, such as the user’s occupation, and allow for more streamlined research assistance.
roadway. Pavement Condition: The asphalt surface appears relatively
smooth, with minor surface blemishes and wear. There are no significant
cracks or potholes visible, but there are some small patches and areas
that may indicate early signs of wear or minor repairs.”
The second major update to Hey NAPA’s functionality is the new ability to upload photos and graphics for analysis. By uploading an image to Hey NAPA, a user can ask for a direct explanation of what the file contains. Hey NAPA will even attempt to evaluate pavement conditions if asked to analyze a photo of a road, noting patches or signs of wear.
Learn more about Hey NAPA and the power of co-intelligence from NAPA Now.
PLUS: Connect with Hey NAPA by including official graphics on your website, linked to HeyNAPA.com.
Hey NAPA was developed by XBE in collaboration with NAPA. It’s our gift to the asphalt pavement industry. More on both organizations below!
About XBE XBE has the deepest and broadest operations management software in horizontal construction. We took the time to understand every role in your organization and the goals they care about. Some of the core features include unified scheduling across all resources, comprehensive TMS capabilities, plant and inventory control, crew and equipment management, and robust dispatch capabilities. You can read dozens of customer testimonials and learn more about our unique approach to driving meaningful bottom-line results here!
About NAPA The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), founded in 1955, is the only U.S. trade association dedicated to representing asphalt producers and contractors at the national level. It advocates for the industry with Congress and government agencies, supports research to enhance asphalt quality and paving techniques, and provides members with technical, educational, and marketing resources. With 1,100 member companies, NAPA is a key player in advancing the asphalt pavement industry.
