Automated Architecture uses robotic micro-factories to build homes
By Quinn Purcell, Managing Editor
While the industry continues to look for ways to construct cost-effective homes, solutions like modular construction prove to be too capital intensive, while labor shortages run rampant across the U.S.
Additionally, construction has always been resistant to adopting new technology and innovations. As one of the world’s largest industries, it is ill-equipped for the modern era, plagued with continuous inefficiencies and pollutants.
One company aims to mitigate such challenges through the use of machine automation. To make high-quality, sustainable homes more affordable, London-based construction tech startup Automated Architecture (AUAR) has developed a robotic micro-factory as part of its hardware-as-a-service offering.
Homes Built Bit by Bit
A proprietary operating system allows AUAR to drastically simplify the building process, reducing thousands of production lines down to just a few.
"Rather than saying we'll take a bunch of robots and try to have them build a typical house in the way it's done today, AUAR has rethought the entire design and manufacturing process so that it’s designed for automation,” said Mollie Claypool, Co-Founder and CEO of Automated Architecture in a interview with Disrupt Magazine.
One way AUAR has rethought the standard homebuilding method is by thinking of the building system like a ‘bit’—a volumetric pixel akin to the code on a computer rather than a standard building block.
One way to visualize a bit? Think Lego.
“The building blocks of all automation is code, so we thought, why don’t we have a building system that is designed like a bit,” said Claypool for Forbes Magazine.
AUAR claims its micro-factory enables builders to erect the shell of a wood-frame home in just under 12 hours, even without having training or robotics expertise. The company states that each micro-factory can deliver up to 180 homes per year.
Robotic Delivery
Each micro-factory is delivered onsite (after a 12-week lead time) in a standard shipping container size, with a fully assembled robot included. Manufactured by ABB, an engineering company with expertise in robotics, the robot comes equipped with vision capabilities to perform continuous quality checks. It handles the nailing, lifting, and customization of wood panels.
“Automation enhances health and safety by reducing the risk of injuries on construction sites, as robots handle dangerous tasks and create a safer working environment,” said Claypool in a interview with BD+C’s sister magazine Pro Builder.
The robots can work five times faster than humans, according to Claypool. Using this building systems, AUAR expects to cut labor costs by 30% and supply chain, logistics, and transport costs by 80 percent.
AUAR Aided by Partnerships
Currently, AUAR has just one micro-factory set up in Gent, Belgium. Its primary use has been on several smaller projects to prove viability: Interior work for coworking spaces and a tech hub. However, the company’s first move to expanding its operations into the U.S. includes bringing two of its micro-factories to Indiana.
The North America-based micro-factories will be deployed by AUAR’s partner Rival Holdings, a real estate development and construction firm. Rival will start first with a low-energy Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) before utilizing the micro-factories for homebuilding across the Midwest.
AUAR is aided in large part by its enlistment of financial backers. In addition to Rival Holdings and ABB Robotics, AUAR has partnerships with Miles Ahead, Morgan Stanley, Vandenbussche Group, Bacchus Venture Capital, and several angel investors. This secured a $3.3 million seed round in support of AUAR’s mission.
Part of the whole package is AUAR’s No CapEx ‘hardware-as-a-service’ model so their partners can quickly set up shop without large capital expenditures. Prices for each micro-factory start at $312,000 plus an ongoing licensing fee for the software. According to the company, each micro-factory enables an approximate $1.3 million in revenue per year for homebuilders.
Software Does the Heavy Lifting
AUAR’s software includes the capability for architects to design a house that “streamlines construction and price information in one place,” according to AUAR in a interview with Sifted. Claypool explains that this system provides upfront benefits: Architects receive upfront design feedback, and contractors gain access to automated material lists and production timelines.
AUAR's software platform provides remote support throughout the process, automating traditionally manual tasks like gathering building codes, design requirements, and supply chain information. It automatically generates design specifications, including bills of materials, construction details, and manufacturing codes.
The company is also looking into artificial intelligence strategies to allow the software to become fully generative. For example, a user could input variables such as budget and the AI model would return relevant proposals.
The AUAR Team
The team behind AUAR includes Claypool alongside Gilles Retsin, Co-Founder, CTO, and Chief Architect of AUAR. The multidisciplinary team comprises other architects, structural timber engineers, software developers, and automation engineers.
While Claypool’s interests lie in how technology and automation can affect societal change, Retsin’s architecture background enables him to consider the benefits of blending design with technology.
“We are always very excited to see what architects design with our system,” said Claypool with Disrupt Magazine. “We learn a lot from how they can adapt our system to produce something unique to a specific brief and context.”
