January 4, 2025

Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Arms

Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Arms: The Future of Construction Technology in Canada

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic arms have entered the spotlight as transformative technologies in the construction industry. These innovations promise to tackle challenges like labor shortages and housing crises in Canada.

Ramtin Attar, CEO and co-founder of Promise Robotics, is leading efforts to revolutionize construction methods. His company uses robotic arms, similar to those in car manufacturing, to assemble building components such as walls, floors, and ceilings. These robots, powered by AI, interpret building plans and automatically execute tasks like cutting materials, assembling structures, and creating spaces for wiring and plumbing systems.

Despite the rapid progress in digital technologies, the construction sector has lagged behind other industries in adopting innovations. Daeho Kim, a civil engineering professor at the University of Toronto, highlights this gap, noting that construction has yet to benefit from AI and robotics at the same level as other sectors.

Attar believes that embracing technology is the only way to meet Canada’s growing housing needs. With projections showing a demand for 3.87 million new homes by 2031, the construction industry faces immense pressure to improve efficiency.

Promise Robotics is focused on developing AI systems that can handle complex physical tasks traditionally performed by humans. Instead of building robots from scratch, they buy existing robotic arms and equip them with AI software to teach them construction skills.

Since its founding in 2019, and with $25 million in funding, the company has created an advanced AI platform capable of analyzing building plans and optimizing construction processes. This approach could drastically reduce the time needed to build houses, apartments, and condos, providing a practical solution to Canada’s urgent housing challenges.

As AI and robotic technologies continue to evolve, the construction industry may soon see a future where building homes is faster, more affordable, and more sustainable.

AI and Robotic Arms in Construction Technology

Promise Robotics focuses on AI-powered robotic arms in factories, while Horizon Legacy introduces Val 2.0, a portable 3D concrete printer for on-site construction. Horizon invested millions in this robot, completing a 26-unit housing project in Gananoque with fewer workers. Val 2.0, controlled via joystick, simplifies heavy tasks, attracting younger workers to construction.

University of British Columbia’s Smart Structures Lab tests sensor-equipped cranes and loaders for autonomous construction, resembling self-driving vehicles. Experts stress that alongside technology, regulatory reforms are vital for accelerating housing development.

Read more here.