Canvas raises $24 million to expand its fleet of drywall robots
Since unveiling its first prototype to the public, the startup Canvas has since raised $24 million in funds. Featuring an elevator platform, an automated arm, and sensors, these machines are looking to automate drywall installation on construction sites.
Canvas aims to expand its commercial fleet of robots. Its $24 million in Series B funding simply demonstrates the growing interest in venture capital for construction tech: leading the funding was Menlo Ventures, one of Silicon Valley’s oldest venture capital firms (1976). Their other previous investments include none other than Hotmail, Siri, Uber, and Tumblr… and now welcomes the construction sector into its portfolio of hundreds of tech companies.
French startup Diagrams raises €1.7 million for its preventative maintenance technology
Thanks to funds from Nord Création, Finorpa, Nord France Amorçage, and Nord Capital Investissement, as well as funding from French Tech Seed and Bpifrance, the Lille-based startup Diagrams Technologies has recently raised €1.7 million during its very first fundraiser.
Its predictive maintenance solution designed for industrial installations (particularly in a factory setting) retrieves data directly from sensors already embedded in machines and supervision software in the building. Algorithms are then used to analyze this data and detect weak signals of a possible anomaly. The startup’s three founders created the company in July 2019, after seven years researching the topic while at INRIA (the French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology).
Homebound looking to solve the housing shortage problem
While the Silicon Valley exodus is having a positive impact on many American cities, it is however creating a housing shortage problem. As is the case for the Texan capital, Austin, where the startup Homebound is currently entering the market. Founded in 2017, the startup has raised a total of $73 million over the years, from the likes of Google Ventures, Fifth Wall, Khosla, Sound Ventures, Atomic, and Thrive Capital.
By entering the Austin market, the startup has developed its model: initially billed as helping homeowners rebuild after wildfires in California, the technology Is now being applied to new builds. What’s more, Homebound has set up an online platform to help connect with certified tradesmen, thus making it easier to monitor the whole construction cycle for a single-family home, and streamlining the process so homeowners can launch into a homebuilding project.
Austrian startup Printsones launches multifunctional robot for on-site construction
After having tested a hundred different prototypes since 2017, the Austrian startup Printstones has finally announced the launch of its robot, Baubot. The promotional video shows the robot carrying out numerous onsite tasks, such as loading and transporting construction material, as well as taking measurements, screwdriving, painting, and drilling.
It can also be used for onsite 3D printing. Suited to most terrains, Baubot can even climb stairs, use elevators, and has a maximum speed of 3.2km/h carrying a limit of 500kg. Not only does it feature a pre-programmed mode, but soon the robot will be able to connect to BIM data to help it navigate construction sites.
And there’s more…
> SiteKick raises $2.3 million for its remote construction site monitoring solution – Star Tribune
> Startup Fortify expanding in additive composite manufacturing – Tech Crunch
