Dusty Robotics Raises $16.5M for Construction Robotics

Dusty Robotics Secures $16.5 Million in Series A Funding

Several prominent construction robotics firms are experiencing growth, evidenced by recent investment rounds. Dusty Robotics, headquartered in the Bay Area, has announced the completion of a $16.5 million Series A funding round.

This investment was spearheaded by Canaan Partners, with participation from NextGen Venture Partners, Baseline Ventures, Root Ventures, and Cantos Ventures. The total funding raised by the startup now reaches $23.7 million.

Expanding Operations to Meet Demand

“We are experiencing significant demand for our solutions from customers throughout the United States and internationally,” stated Tessa Lau, founder and CEO, in an interview with TechCrunch.

“The new capital will be allocated to expanding our team and increasing the size of our robot fleet to effectively address this growing demand.”

Pandemic as an Accelerator

Rich Boyle, a partner at Canaan, notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in accelerating pre-existing trends within the industry.

“The construction and real estate markets are demonstrating considerable activity and rapid evolution,” Boyle explained. “This is largely attributable to ongoing advancements in AI, persistent labor shortages in crucial sectors, and the declining cost of robotic hardware.”

He further added that the pandemic has fundamentally altered perspectives on the design, construction, and utilization of real estate, leading to lasting behavioral shifts in work, living, and shopping habits.

Field Printer and Company Growth

Dusty Robotics currently operates with a team of approximately 17 employees, primarily based in Mountain View. Their flagship product, the Field Printer, is a robot designed to print construction plans directly onto the floors of building sites.

The company describes these printed plans as akin to “Ikea Instructions,” providing clear and easily understandable guidance for construction teams.

Notable companies utilizing the autonomous bot include Swinerton, DPR Construction, Build Group, and Pankow Builders.

Third-Generation Hardware Platform

“We have recently launched our third-generation hardware platform,” Lau announced. “This platform was meticulously designed by our Mountain View team specifically for delivering precise and rapid layout services on construction sites.”

“Since Fall 2018, we have been refining this product, incorporating valuable insights gained from completing over 1 million square feet of production layout.”