Articles tagged with "construction-automation"
Autonomous robot drills data centers 10x faster with 99.97% accuracy
DEWALT, a US power tool manufacturer, has developed an autonomous downward-drilling robot in partnership with August Robotics to automate the labor-intensive task of high-volume concrete drilling in data center construction. Designed specifically for hyperscale infrastructure projects, the robot significantly increases productivity by operating up to ten times faster than traditional drilling methods while maintaining 99.97% accuracy in hole placement and depth. During pilot deployments across ten data center build phases with an unnamed hyperscaler, the system completed over 90,000 holes, cutting a combined 80 weeks from construction schedules and reducing costs per drilled hole. Bill Beck, President of Tools and Outdoor at Stanley Black & Decker, emphasized that the rapid growth in data center demand necessitates faster construction speeds, which this autonomous drilling technology addresses by removing a major bottleneck in large-scale builds. The robot not only accelerates project timelines and lowers costs but also improves jobsite safety and precision. Following successful live demonstrations in early 2026, DEWALT plans to
roboticsautonomous-robotsconstruction-automationdata-center-technologydrilling-robotindustrial-robotsproductivity-enhancementWorld'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
roboticsconstruction-automationdata-centerdrilling-robotautonomous-robotsAI-infrastructurefleet-roboticsUS robot dog patrols massive construction sites for faster progress
FieldAI, an AI robotics company, has partnered with DPR Construction, a major U.S. contractor, to automate construction site processes using autonomous quadruped robots equipped with FieldAI’s autonomy software, Field Foundation Models™. Deployed at a DPR jobsite in Santa Clara, California, the Boston Dynamics Spot robot autonomously conducted extensive surveys and data collection, capturing over 45,000 photos, walking more than 100 miles, and mapping large interior and roofing areas. This system addresses inefficiencies in manual documentation, labor shortages, safety hazards, and operational delays by generating real-time, structured digital records that support decision-making, risk detection, and long-term project documentation. Traditionally, construction documentation involves engineers manually capturing 360° photos over days or weeks, resulting in outdated data and slow progress. FieldAI’s robot navigates dynamic, GPS-free environments autonomously, adapting to daily site changes and performing tasks such as progress tracking, hazard detection, material movement monitoring, and security checks. DPR
roboticsconstruction-automationquadruped-robotAI-roboticsautonomous-navigationconstruction-site-monitoringlabor-shortage-solutionsUS startup launches construction’s largest supervised autonomy deployment for mass excavation
A US automation startup, Bedrock Robotics, has launched what it describes as the construction industry’s largest supervised autonomy deployment for mass excavation, in partnership with Sundt Construction. The project involves preparing a 130-acre domestic manufacturing site, where Bedrock’s autonomous systems have moved over 65,000 cubic yards of earth. Their technology operates excavators ranging from 20 to 80 tons, loading human-operated articulating dump trucks using workflows identical to manual operations. This approach allows skilled workers to focus on specialized tasks while automation handles repetitive truck loading, addressing labor shortages and reducing operator fatigue on large-scale or remote sites. Bedrock’s flagship platform, Bedrock Operator, enables semi-independent operation of construction equipment while integrating seamlessly with existing workflows. A notable feature is its reversible, same-day installation, allowing machines to switch quickly between autonomous and manual modes without disrupting projects. Deployed across sites in Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas, the system enhances productivity through real-time job tracking, improved safety, and faster timelines
robotautonomous-constructionexcavation-technologyconstruction-automationheavy-machinery-roboticssupervised-autonomysmart-construction-systemsVideo: Speedy 'drone painter' covers 200 sqft per minute with ease
Lucid Bots has introduced a new painting module for its Sherpa drone, enabling it to spray paint and coat building exteriors with remarkable speed and efficiency. Previously used for cleaning windows and exteriors, the Sherpa drone can now cover over 200 square feet per minute, operating up to 160 feet high with continuous power via a tether. This advancement allows a single operator to manage the drone easily, completing jobs up to three times faster and at about half the traditional cost, significantly improving productivity and safety in high-risk, labor-intensive exterior work. The Sherpa drone leverages embodied AI, which enables it to interact with the environment by adjusting for factors like wind and surface texture to apply paint evenly. This capability addresses critical labor shortages and safety concerns in the construction industry, where many skilled workers are retiring and tasks often involve hazardous conditions. The modular design of the painting attachment allows existing Sherpa users to upgrade without purchasing new equipment, facilitating adoption. With applications already underway in stadium waterproofing and graffiti
roboticsdronesembodied-AIconstruction-automationindustrial-paintinglabor-safetymodular-roboticsReframe Systems wants to use robotic microfactories to change how we build homes - The Robot Report
Reframe Systems, founded in 2022 by Vikas Enti and Aaron Small, aims to address the U.S. housing shortage and improve home resilience through robotic microfactories. The company leverages off-the-shelf robotic arms combined with proprietary vision, motion planning, and fixturing technologies to automate the framing and assembly of homes away from traditional construction sites. This microfactory approach allows Reframe to consolidate operations, build components like walls and ceilings out of the conventional sequence, and target automating 60% to 80% of home construction. The startup recently raised $20 million to scale its operations, with a long-term goal of building one million homes by 2045. Enti highlights that the construction industry's fragmentation—requiring about 25 specialized subcontractors per home—has hindered widespread automation adoption, as most firms operate as small businesses lacking resources for R&D or technology investment. By shifting construction to controlled microfactories, Reframe aims to overcome these challenges and improve
roboticsmicrofactoriesconstruction-automationrobotic-armshome-building-technologysustainable-constructionhousing-innovationXpanner releases X1 autonomy retrofit kit to bring physical AI to construction - The Robot Report
Xpanner has launched its flagship X1 Kit, a physical AI-based retrofit system designed to enhance construction machinery by transforming existing equipment into “software-defined machinery” (SDM). The X1 Kit addresses key industry challenges such as labor shortages, safety risks, and inefficiencies by automating complex tasks across various brands and models without requiring new machinery purchases. The system has demonstrated significant improvements, including an 80% reduction in labor needs and a 50% decrease in operation time for pile driving in solar installations. Xpanner emphasizes that the X1 Kit continuously learns and adapts on the jobsite, creating a foundational AI infrastructure to boost productivity and reduce costs by over 50%. The X1 Kit integrates three core Xpanner technologies: Mango for precise machine control, M2 for environmental data processing and real-time command transmission, and a proprietary software platform that manages integration and user interaction with continuous remote updates. This task-specific automation approach focuses on individual construction tasks to collectively streamline entire workflows. Founded
robotconstruction-automationphysical-AIretrofit-kitsoftware-defined-machinerypile-drivingindustrial-roboticsCosmic and ABB use robotics to rebuild LA homes after wildfires - The Robot Report
ABB Robotics is partnering with Cosmic Buildings to rebuild homes destroyed by recent wildfires in Southern California using advanced robotics and AI-driven modular construction. They have deployed a mobile microfactory in Pacific Palisades, California, that integrates ABB’s IRB 6710 robots and RobotStudio digital twin software with Cosmic’s AI-powered building information model (BIM). This system automates the fabrication and assembly of custom structural wall panels with millimeter precision onsite, enabling faster, safer, and more cost-effective construction. Cosmic aims to build 100 homes by 2027 using this approach, which significantly accelerates construction speed—up to three times faster than traditional methods—and reduces costs by about 30%. The homes constructed through this collaboration exceed California’s wildfire resilience and energy efficiency standards by incorporating non-combustible materials, solar and battery backup systems, and water independence features like greywater recycling. ABB and Cosmic emphasize that their robotic and AI integration allows real-time quality control and problem detection, ensuring consistent build quality
roboticsAIconstruction-automationmodular-housingdisaster-recoveryrenewable-energysmart-building-materialsBedrock Robotics brings in $80M for construction retrofit kits - The Robot Report
Bedrock Robotics, a San Francisco-based startup founded in 2024 by former Waymo leaders and a Segment veteran, has emerged from stealth with $80 million in seed and Series A funding to develop autonomous retrofit kits for the construction industry. Instead of selling new machinery, Bedrock upgrades existing heavy equipment fleets with reversible hardware and software installations that enable fully autonomous operations. Their system, the Bedrock Operator, integrates high-definition cameras, lidar, GPS, and IMU sensors to provide survey-grade localization and expert machine capabilities, aiming to improve safety, accelerate project timelines, and increase profitability. The company already has active deployments on excavators at construction sites in Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas. The startup addresses critical challenges in the construction sector, including a severe labor shortage—500,000 workers short in the U.S.—and an aging workforce with 40% expected to retire within a decade. With U.S. manufacturing investment rising sharply amid reindustrialization efforts, Bedrock’s automation technology seeks to bridge
roboticsautonomous-systemsconstruction-automationheavy-equipment-retrofitBedrock-Roboticsindustrial-automationconstruction-technologyEx-Waymo engineers launch Bedrock Robotics with $80M to automate construction
Bedrock Robotics, a startup founded by former Waymo and Segment engineers, has emerged publicly after more than a year of quiet development, announcing an $80 million funding round led by Eclipse and 8VC. The company is developing a retrofit self-driving kit designed to automate construction and other worksite vehicles by upgrading existing fleets with sensors, computing power, and AI that can understand project goals, adapt to changing conditions, and operate continuously. The leadership team includes CEO Stefan Sofman, known for his previous roles at Waymo’s self-driving trucks program and as co-founder of Anki Robotics, alongside CTO Kevin Petersen and VPs Ajay Gummalla and Tom Eliaz. Bedrock Robotics joins a growing field of startups applying autonomous vehicle technology to off-road environments such as construction, mining, and industrial sites. The company is currently testing its technology in multiple states—Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, and California—with five construction firms including Sundt Construction and Zachry Construction Corporation. This move reflects a
roboticsautonomous-vehiclesconstruction-automationself-driving-technologyAI-in-constructionoff-road-autonomyrobotics-startupsDusty Robotics designs FieldPrinter 2 robot with PMD motion controllers - The Robot Report
Dusty Robotics, a startup based in Mountain View, California, has developed the FieldPrinter 2, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) designed to map and mark 3D building designs onto 2D construction floors with high precision (0.0625-inch accuracy). This innovation addresses longstanding inefficiencies in the construction industry, where traditional manual layout methods—such as using tape measures, chalk lines, or total stations—often lead to errors, rework, and delays. By automating the marking process, the FieldPrinter 2 helps construction teams reduce reliance on physical blueprints and digital devices onsite, improving accuracy and workflow. A key component enabling the FieldPrinter 2's precise operation is the integration of Performance Motion Devices’ (PMD) ION/CME N-series motion controller-drives. These controllers power the robot’s two front brushless DC motors, providing advanced motion control, network connectivity, and onboard processing capabilities. The PMD controllers allow Dusty Robotics to overcome previous
robotautonomous-mobile-robotmotion-controllersconstruction-automationDusty-Roboticselectric-motorsAMR-technologyLuminous gets funding to bring LUMI solar construction robot to Australia - The Robot Report
Luminous Robotics Inc., a Boston-based startup founded in 2023, has developed LUMI, an AI-powered robot designed to automate solar panel installation without altering existing workflows. The robot can handle 80 lb. solar panels up to 3.5 times faster than traditional manual labor, which typically requires up to five workers, often under challenging conditions like high winds or heat. LUMI’s design allows it to pick up panels from the front or back, enabling seamless integration into current construction processes and minimizing project risks. The company has progressed rapidly, moving from concept to field deployment within 10 weeks for its first version and is now on its fourth iteration, focusing on modularity and scalability for broader production. Luminous recently secured $4.8 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as the first recipient of the Australian government’s $100 million Solar Scaleup Challenge. This funding supports the deployment of a fleet of five LUMI robots at two large Australian
robotsolar-energyrenewable-energysolar-panel-installationconstruction-automationartificial-intelligenceroboticsCiv Robotics spots Series A funding for automated surveying - The Robot Report
Civ Robotics, a San Francisco-based company founded in 2018, has raised $7.5 million in Series A funding, bringing its total investment to $12.5 million. The company develops automated surveying robots called CivDots, unmanned ground vehicles designed to mark thousands of precise coordinates daily on large construction sites. CivDots can perform surveying tasks up to eight times faster than traditional methods with an accuracy of up to 8mm, reducing errors and improving efficiency. The technology requires no specialized expertise to operate and works effectively across challenging terrain and weather conditions. Civ Robotics aims to modernize the $3 trillion infrastructure construction industry, focusing on sectors such as renewable energy, solar farms, roadways, data centers, and power plants. Civ Robotics has deployed over 100 surveying robots globally, partnering with major firms like Bechtel, Signal Energy Constructors, and Trimble, signaling growing trust in automation within the historically slow-to-adopt construction sector. The company has contributed to the construction of
robotconstruction-automationsurveying-robotsrenewable-energysolar-powerunmanned-ground-vehiclesinfrastructure-technology