How Dusty Robotics in bringing automation to the construction industry

October 19, 2021

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3 min read

A common topic in my videos is the tackling inefficiency of the construction industry and the need for automation. Take architectural and structural layout, for example. After a concrete slab is poured, a tape measure is used to locate interior walls and a chalk line is used to mark them.

The Egyptians used a similar method 4000 years ago when building the Pyramids!

This method is not only time-consuming and repetitive but also prone to significant margin of error, especially for large projects and those involving prefabricated components. To address this crucial yet challenging job, Dusty Robotics, a Silicon Valley startup, has devised an innovative solution – the FieldPrinter system.

Robotic Printer

Dusty’s printer is capable of transforming CSV, CAD, or dwg files into precise GPS coordinates. This groundbreaking robot prints full-size floor plans with 1/16″ accuracy on various surfaces such as plywood, OSB, and concrete. The system allows printing of different line styles, text labels, points, and even multiple trades simultaneously. For drywall components, it can lay out framing and finish, soffit fascia, window heights, door labels, and swings. For mechanical components, the robot can handle hanger points, floor penetrations, equipment anchors, full-scale HVAC systems, duct runs with finish heights, and shop drawings.

In the case of electrical components, it is capable of managing install heights, low voltage device layouts, electrical equipment, mechanical penetrations through framed walls, room labels, finish schedules, curves, radius walls, colored lines, offsets, and grid lines.

Advantages

Although Dusty Robotics’ robot may seem like a simple idea at first glance, its true strength lies in its simplicity. Rather than trying to automate everything at once, the company focused on addressing a single act with precision and efficiency. By doing so, they demonstrated the potential for automation in the construction industry through a step-by-step approach that allows different automated processes to work harmoniously.

Originally envisioned as a clean-up robot for construction sites, Dusty Robotics realized the immense value in printing floor plans accurately and efficiently. Their system boasts an impressive speed advantage over human labor, enabling construction crews to build directly off the printed plans and eliminate manual errors. Moreover, it generates detailed reports of the printed plans and incorporates an inbuilt path planning and obstacle avoidance system.

The robot’s integration of the optical surveying instrument, known as the total station, allows it to achieve precise measurements within millimeters. Unlike chalk lines or spray paint used on job sites that fade after a few weeks, Dusty Robotics uses durable regular desk printer ink that adheres well to concrete without the need for a top clear coat.

Limitations

Currently, it only prints on horizontal floor slabs and does not extend to vertical walls or ceilings. Additionally, the messiness of construction sites poses a challenge, as the robot is often showcased working on pristine floors.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to ensure high-quality input data and run clash detection software to avoid human errors being replicated in the printed layout. Garbage in will result in garbage out, and a careful review of drawings is necessary before sending them to the robotic printer.

Conclusion

Dusty Robotics’ team of 20 dedicated individuals has achieved remarkable success, recently securing $16.5 million in a Series A funding round to further enhance the robot’s hardware and software. As they continue to innovate and improve their creation, the robot’s potential to unlock the intelligence of Building Information Modeling (BIM) software and revolutionize the construction industry becomes increasingly evident.