June 10, 2026 Beyond the Tracing Pen

How TaksoAi is re-engineering the mechanical estimating lifecycle.

In the competitive world of mechanical contracting, the “takeoff” is the painstaking process of identifying and measuring every pipe, duct, and fitting from a blueprint. For decades, this task has stood as the industry’s greatest bottleneck. Estimators have historically been tethered to digital pens and manual tracing, a workflow that is as prone to human error as it is time-consuming.

Enter TaksoAi. Founded in 2021 by father-and-son duo Simon and Tony Sottile, the Toronto-based construction technology firm is on a mission to modernize preconstruction. By combining a patent-pending AI vision system with a “Human-in-the-Loop” philosophy, TaksoAi is enabling mechanical teams to reclaim 50 percent or more of their estimating time.

The Origins of an Industry Disruptor

The story of TaksoAi is one of academic rigor meeting decades of field-tested leadership. The platform’s conceptual roots trace back to Simon Sottile’s Master’s research at Queen’s University. While pursuing his Master of Management Analytics (MMA) alongside a Juris Doctor (JD), Simon explored how artificial intelligence could meaningfully accelerate mechanical workflows without removing the critical expert oversight that contractors rely on for profitability.

To transform this research into a scalable enterprise tool, Simon partnered with his father, Tony Sottile, P.Eng. As the former CEO of Modern Niagara, which is one of Canada’s most prominent mechanical contracting firms, Tony brought a deep understanding of the pain points that keep estimators up at night. Together, they designed TaksoAi not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a high-powered engine to fuel it.

How it Works: AI-Powered Precision

At the core of the platform is a specialized AI vision system designed specifically for the unique language of mechanical drawings. Unlike generic OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tools, TaksoAi’s models are trained to recognize complex symbols, line weights, and schematics associated with technical blueprints.

When an estimator uploads a plan set, TaksoAi’s proprietary algorithms begin the heavy lifting through several core automation features:

Tailored Solutions Across Mechanical Trades

To truly appreciate the platform’s impact, it is helpful to look at how different mechanical disciplines leverage TaksoAi’s specialized capabilities. The technology is not a one-size-fits-all tool, but rather a flexible system engineered to understand the unique requirements of various service lines:

Plumbing and Piping Takeoffs

Plumbing estimators face the tedious challenge of manually counting countless individual components across massive multi-floor commercial or residential plans. TaksoAi streamlines this entirely. By deploying its Next-Gen Pipe & Duct Algorithm V2.0 to automatically identify over 38 pipe and plumbing fittings, the platform segments runs, branches, and sizes with high accuracy. This automates repetitive counting, ensures review-ready mechanical takeoffs, and prevents missed items on complex commercial jobs.

HVAC and Ductwork Takeoffs

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning drawings are notoriously cluttered with overlapping systems and dense symbols. TaksoAi’s AI vision system easily parses these complex schematics. It automatically captures precise linear measurements and sizes for each duct run, allowing teams to isolate duct networks, organize their workflows, and generate highly accurate material lists while reducing manual rework.

Equipment and Tag Tracking

For complex commercial projects, matching specific equipment units, fixtures, and devices to drawing schedules is a major time sink. With TaksoAi, estimators can simply enter any specific tag identifier, and the system will instantly locate every matching instance across hundreds of pages in minutes. This keeps project scope tightly controlled before exporting approved quantities into leading estimating software via a smooth, system-ready data integration framework.

The “Human-in-the-Loop” Advantage

The company’s core objective is to empower professionals rather than replace them. The platform aims to strip away the hours of redundant manual tracing that currently bog down the estimating process.

This philosophy is central to TaksoAi’s market adoption. In a sector where a 2 percent error in a bid can mean the difference between a profitable project and a massive loss, “black box” automation is a non-starter. TaksoAi keeps the estimator in the driver’s seat. By automating the grunt work of tracing, teams can shift their priorities to higher-value activities like strategic pricing, risk analysis, and value engineering.

Scaling for the Future: From HVAC to Industrial

Since its successful 2022 fundraising round, which was supported by North America’s leading mechanical contractors and suppliers, TaksoAi has seen rapid growth. The platform currently processes most mechanical plans in under 15 minutes, a mere fraction of the time required for traditional manual takeoffs.

As of May 2026, TaksoAi is already looking toward the next frontier. While its roots are firmly planted in Piping, Plumbing, and HVAC, the company is actively expanding its capabilities into the electrical, insulation, and broader industrial sectors. This progression is part of a long-term vision to create a multi-disciplinary, AI-driven takeoff experience that serves as the foundation for the entire preconstruction lifecycle.

Why It Matters Today

In 2026, the construction industry faces a dual challenge: a critical shortage of experienced estimators and an increasing volume of complex, fast-turnaround bids. TaksoAi provides a scalable solution to both. By reducing the training effort required for junior estimators and doubling the output of senior staff, mechanical firms can bid for more work with greater accuracy.

For the modern contractor, TaksoAi is far more than a simple software tool. It stands as a strategic asset that transforms the estimating department from a traditional cost center into a high-powered competitive engine.

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