Contech start-up Automated Architecture (AUAR) is shipping robotic micro-factories to the US, where they will be used to build thousands of sustainable and affordable across the Midwest
AUAR is expanding to the US through a strategic partnership with ABB Robotics that aims to build a global, automated construction ecosystem for housing. ABB’s cutting-edge contech is at the heart of AUAR’s micro-factories, executing tasks like modular assembly.
Advanced robots, equipped with vision and AI capabilities, boost speed, flexibility and consistency. This enables AUAR’s partners to enhance efficiency, predictability and oversight – while significantly cutting financial risks and minimizing the overall environmental impact in timber home construction.
Each micro-factory is capable of producing modular timber-frame panels for walls, floors and roofs, which can be assembled on-site to create a variety of home designs.
Tackling US housing crisis
The two micro-factories, which can each produce up to 180 homes a year, are being shipped to a real estate development and construction firm Rival Holdings.
The partnership between AUAR and Rival Holdings aims to address the ongoing housing crisis in the US.
Unlike existing solutions, AUAR’s micro-factories don’t require big factories to be set up and have a lead time of 12 weeks from order to shipping.
The micro-factories are shipped in standard containers, with all the required components pre-assembled for quick deployment at Rival’s facilities.
AUAR also offers a flexible, no capex “hardware-as-a-service” model for their pop-up robotic micro-factories so their partners can quickly get set up without large capital expenses.
The contech company remote-supports partners with AI-powered software all the way from design to manufacturing, automating thousands of hours of inefficient, manual processes in the home building process.
Mollie Claypool, co-founder and CEO of AUAR, said: “we are really excited to partner with rival holdings to bring our cutting-edge robotic micro-factories to the United States. This partnership is our first in the US and will enable us to scale up the production of high-quality, affordable and sustainable homes where there is a huge and urgent need for them.”
Gilles Retsin, co-founder and CTO of AUAR, added: “We have designed our micro-factory solution to be truly accessible to homebuilders.
“We do this by keeping the upfront costs low and allowing for quick installation and delivery. The operation of the micro-factory itself doesn’t require extensive training or knowledge of robotics, our software and team take care of everything from the initial designs down to manufacturing.”
Moving the industry forward
Jerod Hevel, VP of innovation and strategy at Rival Holdings, said: “The building industry is facing significant challenges ahead – growing labour challenges, increasing housing shortage, housing affordability. These challenges motivate us to set a new course for our businesses – the innovation and disruption created by the AUAR team are necessary to move the industry forward in a sustainable way.
“As an investor in AUAR, we believe in the impact their system will have on building globally. As the first customer outside of Europe, we look forward to demonstrating the value AUAR can bring to our market, working with their team to continue expanding applications.
“We are investing in these first micro-factories because we see the potential to reduce cost, reduce time on-site, and improve quality – all in a way that makes life better for homeowners.”
