When it launched in 2019, Dusty’s FieldPrinter added a smart new dimension to the world of construction automation. The autonomous mobile robot brought blueprints into the real world by drawing chalk outlines on site floors, eliminating much of the guesswork in a task you really don’t want to guess at. The company says the first-generation bot has printed more than 91 million square feet so far.
Today the Bay Area-based startup is launching the sequel. As was the case with its predecessor, FieldPrinter 2 it has a big pair of friendly eyes — personalization is a surprisingly effective way to integrate automation into the workplace. The small robot is smaller than the first gen, thus allowing it to move around obstacles better.
It now prints closer to the edges and can “shadow” behind columns. The 23-pound robot has a wider print head and a range of sensors built-in for improved navigation. It can also be controlled via iPad.
Today’s news also marks the arrival of the FieldPrint platform, which centers around BIM-to-field — essentially bringing digital information to real-world construction sites.
“Our new FieldPrint platform supports the seamless flow of data from the design phase, to the field and back to the trailer,” notes co-founder and CEO Tessa Lau. “More than a robot, Dusty provides a complete software and hardware solution that architects, designers and field operators use to achieve unparalleled accuracy, communication and efficiency.”
Construction is currently shaping up to be one of the biggest categories in robotics. It is, after all, a $2 trillion industry in the US alone. There are many aspects of the manufacturing process that are ideally placed for automation, especially in an era of staff shortages. Predictably, Dusty’s innovative solution now has some competition, including, notably, HP’s SitePrint.
