Robots are specialised in carrying out repetitive tasks in a controlled environment. As a result, robotics has penetrated seamlessly into various industries including automobiles, healthcare, among others. Of late, the construction and real estate industry has been increasingly adopting robotics to enhance efficiency and safety.
Construction robotics in Europe
Some of the construction robots include 3D printing robots that are used to build large buildings on demand. These robots have the potential to build an entire structurally safe building from scratch. A notable example of the same is the first-ever 3D printed bridge that was built in the Netherlands. Demolition robots are also being increasingly used.
Several robotics startups in Europe have started developing robots focused on the construction industry to resolve the challenges faced by manual labour and make the industry more efficient. Here is a list of construction robotics startups in Europe as sourced from Dealroom.
Blue Ocean Robotics (Denmark)
Founder/s: Claus Risager, Rune K. Larsen, John Erland Østergaard
Founded year: 2013
Funding: €44.3M
Blue Ocean Robotics develops, produces, and sells professional service robots across industries such as healthcare, hospitality, construction, and agriculture. It also claims to be the world’s first Robot Venture Factory. Its portfolio includes UVD Robots, GoBe Robots, PTR Robots, and other service robots. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company came up with a UV sterilising robot that can kill virus cells and sanitise hospital wards, sans any chemicals.
Back in late 2019, Blue Ocean Robotics secured $12M (nearly €M) funding to fund the expansion of its operations and business.
Sitemark (Belgium)
Founder/s: Maxime Bossens, Stanislas van der Vaeren, Vishal Punamiya
Founded year: 2016
Funding: €2.8M
Sitemark operates with the intention to become the most trusted AI-powered Aerial Data Platform across the globe. The company provides end-to-end drone operation solutions for improved operational efficiencies. It is an Aerial Data Analytics company active in over 30 countries across energy, mining, agriculture, and construction industries. Sitemark enables enterprises to deploy drones and aerial data at scale.
Last year, Sitemark raised €5M Series A investment led by Korys and existing investor Chroma Impact Investment.
Odico (Denmark)
Founder/s: Lars Baun
Founded year: 2012
Funding: €950k
Odico operates with the intention to bring about a change in the concrete industry and architectural profession. With the introduction of robot technology, the company wants to transform the global construction industry, which is heavily dependent on manual labour, wherein small innovative designs are difficult to realise. It is one of the global companies in the world to develop software and robotics technology for industrial cutting of advanced casting molds in expanded polystyrene.
KEWAZO (Germany)
Founder/s: Alimzhan Rakhmatulin, Artem Kuchukov, Eirini Psallida, Ekaterina Grib, Leonidas Pozikidis, Sebastian Weitzel
Founded year: 2016
Funding: €3.6M
Munich-based startup KEWAZO works with the intention of improving construction logistics via data analysis and robotics. The company’s first solution is a robotic elevator for construction sites as well as industrial plants with a focus on scaffolding. In the construction sector, it focuses on activities such as painting work, roof work, facades, insulation work, and more. This construction robotics startup raised €2.5M funding earlier this year led by MIG AG, a German VC firm to strengthen its business.
Q-Bot (UK)
Founder/s: Tom Lipinski
Founded year: 2012
Funding: €9.8M
Q-Bot develops tools using robotics and AI that can inspect, monitor, and maintain the health of your buildings and infrastructure. Q-Bot’s robots to spray insulation under the floor with minimal disruption to your life. The insulation immediately reduces the heat lost through the floor and stops draughts.
Back in 2019, Q-Bot secured £3M (nearly €M) Series A investment backed by Wealth Club, EMV Capital, and Foundamental. Q-Bot also received continued support from its existing investor base.
Unicontrol (Denmark)
Founder/s: Ehsanullah Ekhlas
Founded year: 2018
Funding: NA
Unicontrol focuses on machines under 15 tons with its swivel arm. The company ensures a flexible, solid, and simple system along with user-friendly technology. And, the company offers functionality and flexibility for the smaller excavators by helping them get accurate data during excavations. It displays all the necessary information and data on a screen in the cab to help the excavators. A few months back, Unicontrol secured an angel investment round from local investors from Denmark – Thomas Visti and Lasse Kieffer.
Craft Robotics (Denmark)
Founder/s: Rasmus Lundgaard
Founded year: 2018
Funding: NA
Craft Robotics builds adaptive and intelligent robots for the construction industry, which is extremely monotonous and dangerous. Its robots are claimed to be an extension of the workers’ toolbox that enables people to do a lot more in a day with the help of automation and prevent them hazards. Its robotic tool fits into existing workflows and logistics of construction sites.
MOBBOT (Switzerland)
Founder/s Agnes Petit
Founded year: 2018
Funding: €80k
With 3D concrete printing, sustainable construction is approaching close to reality. MOBBOT intends to bring about a change in the construction sector with its 3D printing system, which brings about digitisation into the field of construction. It develops 3D printing solutions that are efficient to use and robust, improve working conditions, and reduce CO2 emissions. MOBBOT’s mobile robots print concrete components needed by builders.
Earlier this year, Mobbot secured CHF 2.9M (nearly €2.7M) funding from Mutschler Ventures, investiere, Swiss Immo Lab, Capital Risque Fribourg, NEST Pension Fund, and business angels to boost its 3D robotic system.
Scaled Robotics (Spain)
Founder/s: Bharath Sankaran, Stuart Maggs
Founded year: 2015
Funding: €2M
Scaled Robotics claims to rethink constructing buildings by developing mobile 3D printing robots that bring about automation in the construction sites. This robotics startup reduces material consumption by up to 75%. Scaled Robotics operates with the mission to modernise construction by deploying Artificial Intelligence and robotics and create a manufacturing process, which is efficient, lean, and cost-effective.
A few months back, Scaled Robotics bagged €2M seed investment led by European firms Norwegian Construct Venture and PropTech Fund Surplus.
Stock photo from Zapp2Photo/Shutterstock
