A Roomba-like robot is helping contractors see building information modelling (BIM) in real life and literally on the jobsite. Dusty Robotics has created the FieldPrint platform, a robot that uses an inkjet printer to map designs from multiple trades on the actual jobsite floor.
During a home renovation, Dusty Robotics Founder Tessa Lau was inspired to create the company’s FieldPrint platform after observing the construction process.
“I thought it was so manual. I couldn’t believe it because I come from robotics and everything is automated in my world. So, I saw an opportunity to bring more automation and innovation to construction,” Lau said.
“I’m always trying to find things that allow robots to get into the world and do useful stuff for people.”
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Dusty Robotics works with companies tasked with creating digital modelling using AutoCAD or Autodesk Revit to ensure their design is realized in real life.
“All that information that gets generated during that modelling process gets locked up in the model, and only a very small amount of it actually makes its way into the field,” Lau said.
“We’re changing that by this little robot that can actually take that digital model and print it full scale on the floor.”
Alongside the robotic layout printer, Dusty Robotics incorporates AutoCAD or Autodesk Revit plugins, a portal that allows all trades to collaborate and manage designs and an iPad app to adjust to on-site conditions.
“It lets all of your trade partners collaborate together and upload their files,” Lau said. “Your mechanical is detailing out the HVAC, your framers are detailing out the walls. They are all uploading their files, and it all gets combined right here in our portal.”
Dusty Robotics launched the platform in 2020 and has since printed more than 18.5 million square metres. Typically, the robot can complete 930 square metres per day.
“That’s 10 times faster than their manual labour crews, and there’s no mistakes,” Lau said. “So, you’re guaranteed exactly what’s in your design.”
In fact, the robot is able to achieve sub millimetre accuracy while printing.
“That’s super important as buildings are becoming more prefabricated,” Lau said. “We do a lot of data centres and hospitals where they’re bringing a lot of machinery into that site, and everything has very little room for error.”
The robot is also able to send data back as it maps out the design. Zach Reiss Davis, Dusty Robotics’ Senior Director of Marketing, explained the two-way information ability helps to record the quality and accuracy of the construction.
“I’m also getting back how flat is this floor? How does that floor work? So that the people back in the office understand what was built and understand the quality of what was built,” Reiss Davis said.
Dusty Robotics accuracy is allowing the company to also assist with tilt-up construction projects. Recently, the FieldPrinter was used by VEMAC Construction on a tilt-up project and achieved a 600 per cent increase in panels laid per day, which represents 50-times more panels laid out per hour of labour.
“Dusty’s had a truly amazing effect on the amount of work we can do,” said VEMAC CEO David Venegas.
“We were previously hitting 15 panels a day with a great crew, or six with a less experienced crew – and our crew sizes were between seven and 10 people. We now can regularly do 100 panels a day with just one person.”
