3 Construction Robotic Companies Changing the Future

The rise of robotic companies within the construction industry is changing the way that construction companies are interacting with technology.

Here are 3 construction robotic companies who are changing the future of the construction industry.

1. Construction Robotics

Construction Robotics is an automated masonry company based in New York, USA who's main goal is to build smart construction solutions through the advancement of lifting material technologies.

They provide two products; MULE (Material Unit Lift Enhancer) and SAM (Semi-Automated Mason).

The products have been designed for the challenges of onsite construction and help solve labour shortages, improve safety through the reduction of fatigue & injuries, increase precision, versatility & flexibility, and increase productivity through shortened timelines & reduced on-site slow downs.

The MULE's main task is to lift 32" CMU blocks (which are becoming the standard block to use within America and Australia). The benefits of the MULE are as follows;

• Job-site ready lift assist that can handle up to 150 pounds.

• Mounts to scaffolding or mast climbing platforms.

• Portable.

• Sets up in just 10 minutes.

• Custom adaptations for unusual building environments.

• Reduces per block costs and has the ability to regain investment cost in as little as 6 months.

• Reduces waste with shortened wall completion times.

• Reduce labour challenges by extending careers and attracting new talent.

• Increases productivity 2x & increases square footage 2x compared to traditional methods.

SAM's main task is to lay bricks. The benefits of SAM are as follows;

• A collaborative system designed to work with and as an extension of the mason.

• Increases output by 3-5x while allowing workers to focus on quality.

• Creates greater consistency with 50%+ lower installation costs.

• Lower health and safety impact on the workforce.

• Improved ability to consistently quote and execute jobs.

• Onsite performance data helps with continuous improvement initiatives.

Construction Robotics is building the future of construction tools to support on-site workforce's. Their advanced solutions are creating new capabilities, efficiencies, and greater diversity, which is ultimately changing the face of the construction industry.

2. RCT

RCT is an automation and remote control company originally based in Australia but now with offices in America, Canada, South Africa, Chile and Russia as well. With clients in over 70 countries worldwide, RCT has been a mining industry-leader since 1972.

In 1988 RCT launched their first remote controlled front loader and 1993 their first remote controlled bulldozer.

With so many years of experience within the mining industry, it was a very short jump to the construction industry.

Within the construction industry, RCT provides four autonomous remote controls; The CM1000, ATX1000, MTX1000 and Teleremote.

The products remove the guesswork from processes and provide operational and production certainty and predictability, as well as empowering clients to improve efficiencies and effortlessly meet production targets, reducing operational costs and improving bottom-line profit.

The CM1000 is the most reliable and safest handheld remote in the market. It has been designed with either six or twelve functions, or for additional control, two proportional paddles and six digital functions. It has been built to meet global remote control requirements and has the highest safety standards.

The ATX1000 has been designed for Line-of-Sight operation only. Regardless of type, brand, and year, this remote can be used on all mobile machines. It has rugged design features and can be supplied to all regions globally.

The MTX1000 is the smallest and lightest remote control RCT offers - weighing in at less than 2kg. It uses the same proven operating system as the AXT and is suitable for all mobile machines in industrial applications, with short-term Line-of-Sight applications being the ideal environment to use this remote in.

The Teleremote allows clients to control heavy machinery remotely with the help of multiple cameras and sensors. This removes the operator from hazardous areas and instead places them in a secure and protected location.

RCT has multiple remotely controlled options depending on each site's specific needs; control centres, trailer cabins and mobile stations to make sure that no job is missed.

The benefits of these four products are as follows;

• Allows operators to remotely control machines while providing a safer working environment.

• Reduces operator fatigue.

• Improves operator safety in high risk working conditions.

• Prevents repetitive stress injuries.

• Versatile enough to cater to specific requirements.

• Single machine, to a fully autonomous fleet automation.

• Training and global support.

RCT is a world trusted technology partner, offering an array of inter-operable machine solutions, while setting the benchmark for productivity and safety to revolutionize the construction industry.

3. Built Robotics

Built Robotics is a guidance system and software company that mounts GPS exosystems onto equipment and wires into the machine's controls, turning almost any manually-operated excavator into an autonomous robot.

They provide four products; The Exosystem, Everest operation software, Field Kit, and Guardian remote monitoring.

The products provide reliable, accurate, safe and fast trench excavation, critical to almost every project, so that you can put your best operators onto the most challenging tasks.

The Exosystem is an easy-to-install aftermarket upgrade which is placed onto any mid-sized (15 to 50 ton) leading manufacturer excavator, transforming it into a trenching robot. Included is an all-weather enclosure, proximity radar, 360° cameras, GPS, and a powerful liquid-cooled computer. It has been designed to take the beatings of a job site and keep running like clockwork, to not interfere with machine transport, and to allow a human to manually take over excavator controls whenever, wherever.

Everest operation software is a cloud-based command centre that monitors, manages, and operates the Exosystem from anywhere in the world. In the layout tool, upload geofences and trenches and configure them to specified needs, connect the needed robot and geofence for the days work, then select a trench and let the robot start digging while monitoring remotely, or simply walk away and work on other tasks. Monitoring benefits include the ability to view machine vitals virtually like you're sitting inside the cab, the health of the robot, seven live camera feeds with 360 degree coverage of the site, the ability to remotely control and manually move the robot with just a keyboard, earth moved & time to completion analysis, and live 3D, aerial & schematic mapping tools.

The Field Kit includes all the tools that are needed for a seamless installation, safe operation, and routine maintenance for a Exosystem. Included is a ruggedized laptop, wireless emergency stop, shoot points to create geofences and trench specifications, a data collector, and a deployment UTV, making Built Robotics a one stop shop for creating autonomous excavators.

Guardian is a remote, cloud-based monitoring solution. It is essentially the backup plan for the backup plan. It provides a human touch to assess complicated scenarios and make executive decisions to ensuring smooth, reliable operation in the field. From a secure location, a Guardian technician watches what your robot is doing in the field and then sends targeted notifications throughout the day to ensure your robot and your job are on the right track. With 24/7/365 support, remote restart capabilities, and 360° exterior, in-cab and on-tail security cameras recording and backing up your data for thirty days, peace of mind is never far away.

Built Robotics is a leading company within the construction robotics industry. Already featured in Forbes, Fortune Wired, and CBS, they are ahead of the competition and are making a big splash right now. With the future growth of the construction industry depending on rethinking how buildings are completed, Built Robotics is taking the concepts and technology that others are using to build self-driving cars and adapting them for a whole different industry: construction. Their aim is to continue to develop their technology to support more equipment and applications, including bulldozers, loading trucks, material transport, pile driving, grading, and compaction. Few companies are trying anything as ambitious as built robotics: creating robots that build the world.

The use of construction robotics is a rapidly growing trend in the industry, and these three companies are leading the charge in innovation and technology. From automated block and bricklaying, remote controlled heavy machinery, to GPS exosystems, these companies are changing the face of construction and providing sustainable solutions for the future. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the field of construction robotics, making the building process faster, more efficient, and more sustainable. The future is indeed exciting for the construction industry, and these companies are at the forefront of the revolution.