At the beginning of November, Chinese start-up Partner Robotics completed a Series A financing round in the double-digit million range (RMB), raising a total of around RMB 100 million in capital. The company is now reporting international orders. The company's robots lay tiles fully automatically and are said to have already covered almost 100,000 square meters of floor space.

Trained on the basis of real construction site data

Technically, Partner Robotics relies on a combination of multi-sensor technology, camera-based perception, precise robotic arms, and a cloud simulation platform that continuously trains the artificial intelligence of the systems on the basis of real construction site data. This is particularly relevant for construction companies because the automation of highly standardized, physically demanding tasks – such as the installation of large-area floor coverings in residential complexes or commercial buildings – is particularly useful. The robot tile layers are not only extremely productive due to their high square meter output per day with consistent quality, they also collect process data that can be used for quality assurance and documentation. The fresh capital mentioned at the beginning suggests that “robotics as a service” is becoming commercially viable on construction sites.

Smart wall construction: News from Australia, the Netherlands, and the UK

Another recent announcement comes from Australia: FBR Limited is selling one of its Hadrian wall robots to Fraser Lyne Constructions for around AUD 7.8 million. The robot specializes in erecting load-bearing walls and will be used in New South Wales. FBR positions Hadrian as a system that reduces material waste and works with high precision – a key issue in light of rising material costs and more demanding energy and insulation standards. At the same time, British media are reporting on the use of robotic bricklayers from the Dutch supplier Monumental. According to the report, the systems can lay several hundred bricks per shift and require only one supervisor for two robots. Among other things, tests are being conducted to determine the extent to which the machines are suitable for working on scaffolding and comply with British building regulations. In both Australia and the UK, robots are explicitly cited as a response to the shortage of skilled bricklayers. Robotic work is also less dependent on weather and daily conditions, which supports cycle planning and prefabrication concepts. However, the decisive factor will be how well such systems can be integrated into existing planning and logistics processes.

3D printing robot “Charlotte”: Houses in less than 24 hours

Down Under, another approach—large-format 3D printing—has also been vigorously pursued in the field of construction robots. The Australian company Crest Robotics recently introduced “Charlotte,” a system that can print a complete house structure in less than 24 hours and is even suitable for lunar and space construction in the future. For the traditional construction industry, however, it is not so much the space travel aspect that is interesting as the combination of speed, material efficiency, and design freedom. Highly customized geometries, cavities for building services, or integrated insulation structures can be printed – all with a single robot system that applies concrete or alternative materials in layers.

Annual growth rates of well over 15 percent

Mobile printing robots can be used both on construction sites and in factory halls, making them interesting for hybrid offsite concepts. According to Robotics & Automation News, the market for construction robotics could achieve annual growth rates of well over 15 percent in the coming years – driven by a shortage of skilled workers, pressure to increase productivity, and falling costs for sensor technology and AI. At the same time, high initial costs are slowing down widespread adoption: investment ranges of roughly $150,000 to $500,000 per unit are cited for autonomous construction machines or 3D printing systems. For many medium-sized construction companies, models such as leasing, pay-per-use, or shared use in associations are therefore more realistic than direct purchase.

Current challenges facing the construction industry

Due to rapid developments, those responsible in the construction industry are increasingly faced with the challenge of identifying use cases for the new construction robots by answering the question of where there are repetitive, physically demanding, or skill-critical activities that can be standardized. Small, clearly defined projects with technology providers or general contractors can be used to initially test the productivity, quality, and acceptance of construction robots within the team. By creating a data and process basis, construction robotics can truly unfold its benefits. The connection to digital models such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), schedules, and material logistics is crucial for this. This will also change the role of humans on the construction site, shifting from execution to monitoring, parameterization, and maintenance of the systems—appropriate training concepts are essential for this. In the future, “robot competence” will become as important on construction sites as formwork or crane technology competence is today.