The Daily Populous Friday November 27th, 2020 evening edition
Authored by interestingengineering.com and submitted by MicroSofty88

A robotics company called Canvas has announced its public launch with partnerships and $19M in financing this month.

Founded in 2017, the robotics startup designed a robotic arm with sensors that automates the process of drywall installation.

The company now aims to expand its regional presence as well as developing its robot to carry out a host of automated construction tasks.

RELATED: ONE OF THESE ADVANCED ROBOTS MAY TAKE OVER THE WORLD

Canvas currently focuses on installing drywall at large commercial construction sites larger than 10,000 square feet (3,048 square meters). Once that process is perfected, VentureBeat reports, the company aims to further develop its robot so as to allow for painting and spray-on insulation.

Canvas' founders claim that its robots operate faster than a human without a machine. While most robotics companies sell or rent their machines, Canvas' robots are operated by trained workers from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

"[Canvas] is creating meaningful Union career opportunities, helping introduce previously untapped communities to the trades, and making the work itself safer and reducing the strain on the body," District Council 16 Business Manager, Robert Williams III, a third-generation Union painter, said in a press statement.

For now, the company only operates in the San Francisco Bay Area, though it aims to expand into other cities. With the ongoing pandemic and social distancing restrictions, the robotic and AI worker market has seen a boom in recent months.

Canvas' new investors, who have helped them raise $19 million, include Innovation Endeavors, Obvious Ventures, Brick & Mortar Ventures, and Grit Ventures.

In other robot news, Hyundai is reportedly in talks to buy Boston Dynamics, and ABB has developed a "next-gen" robot that can be used across a wide variety of industries for the so-called fourth industrial revolution.

vasconic on November 26th, 2020 at 20:48 UTC »

Is it programmed to leave bottles of piss in the walls?

ten-million on November 26th, 2020 at 19:25 UTC »

Probably works well for large commercial jobs. but in houses over stairwells?

The drywall is one of the cheapest things do in new construction. Those guys are fast.

ovenblaster on November 26th, 2020 at 19:22 UTC »

Does anyone see any data on this? How is it measured or compared? The article mentions buildings 10k sqft and larger and that’s about it.