World's first fleet drilling robot cuts data center build times

DEWALT, a U.S.-based power equipment maker owned by Stanley Black & Decker, has partnered with August Robotics to introduce the world’s first fleet-capable robot designed for downward concrete drilling. This robotic system targets a critical bottleneck in data center construction by automating the labor-intensive task of drilling thousands of precision holes needed to anchor server racks and support overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The robot operates autonomously and can work in fleets, allowing multiple units to drill simultaneously across large sites. According to DEWALT, the system drills up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, potentially reducing overall construction timelines by as much as 80 weeks while improving jobsite safety and cutting costs per hole. The robotic drilling system is already being piloted with one of the world’s largest hyperscalers and has completed work across 10 data center construction phases, achieving 99.97 percent accuracy in hole location and depth over more than 90,000 drilled holes. This high