Dusty Robotics

Dusty Robotics emerged from a simple observation during a home remodel by Tessa Lau, a seasoned roboticist with a background in AI and machine learning. Lau noticed the conspicuous absence of automation in the construction industry, a sector ripe for technological advancement yet heavily reliant on manual labor. This realization, coupled with the industry's challenges of skilled labor shortages, escalating costs, and tight timelines, sparked the idea for Dusty Robotics. In 2018, Lau, along with co-founder Philipp Herget, who brought his expertise as a robotics hardware lead, embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between digital building designs and physical construction sites. [10, 18, 19]

Their journey began with extensive on-site research, spending months observing construction workflows. It was during this immersive period that they identified a critical pain point: the painstaking and error-prone process of manual layout, where workers would meticulously measure and mark plans on job site floors. This manual process was not only time-consuming but also a significant source of errors that could lead to costly rework and project delays. Recognizing that robots could perform this task with far greater speed and precision, the concept for their flagship product, the FieldPrinter, was born. The FieldPrinter is an autonomous mobile robot designed to take digital building information models (BIM) and print them full-scale directly onto the construction floor. [3, 4, 19] This innovation aimed to provide a single source of truth for all field crews, ensuring that everyone was building from the same accurate plan. Since its founding, Dusty Robotics has focused on developing robot-powered tools to modernize the construction workforce, automating some of its most challenging manual workflows and accelerating the industry's digital transformation. [4, 7, 24] The company's solutions are designed to increase efficiency, improve accuracy to 1/16th of an inch, and ultimately help keep construction projects on time and on budget. [3, 4, 9]

Dusty Robotics quickly gained traction, deploying its robots across the United States and partnering with major construction firms like DPR Construction, Swinerton, PARIC, Performance Contracting Inc., Southland Industries, and Skanska. [5, 7, 14, 15] The company's innovative approach has attracted significant investment, allowing it to scale its operations and further develop its hardware, software, and services. [7, 8, 11, 12] What started as an insight during a home renovation has evolved into a company at the forefront of construction automation, fundamentally changing how buildings are brought to life by ensuring design integrity directly in the field. [5, 14, 17]