In a modest warehouse near Edmonton’s airport, Ramtin Attar, CEO and co-founder of Promise Robotics, is unveiling technology that could transform Canada’s home construction industry. Using advanced robotic arms powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the company is addressing the sector’s lagging innovation.
The robotic arms, reminiscent of those in automotive plants, construct walls, floors, and roofs of houses. Guided by AI, they interpret blueprints, make real-time decisions on tasks such as cutting, nailing, and drilling, and optimize their workflow. “On the fly, they decide what tool to use and the sequence of tasks,” explained Attar, highlighting the autonomous capabilities of the system.
This groundbreaking approach aims to bridge the gap between construction and other industries that have successfully integrated robotics and AI. As Daeho Kim, assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of Toronto, noted, “There’s a big disparity between the construction industry and others leveraging AI.”
The timing is critical. Canada faces a skilled labor shortage and an urgent demand for affordable housing. Innovative solutions like Promise Robotics’ AI-driven systems could revolutionize homebuilding, enhancing efficiency and addressing the country’s housing crisis. By bringing automation to construction, the industry takes a pivotal step towards modernization and sustainability.
