ENGINEERING TECH, CONSTRUCTION
Canvas | March 17, 2023
Hilti announces a strategic partnership with Canvas, a construction robotics company that has developed a robotic drywalling solution aiming to empower people to build in bold new ways.
The partnership marks the beginning of a significant new step in robotics innovation after Hilti had launched the Jaibot, the world’s first semi-autonomous ceiling drilling robot in 2020. This collaboration brings together leaders in intelligent jobsite robotics who share a common vision: that robotic tools will unlock vastly untapped potential and drive a new era of productivity and safety for skilled trade workers.
Canvas, headquartered in San Francisco and founded in 2017 by veterans of Boston Dynamics, MIT and Stanford, leverages advances in collaborative robotics and machine learning to build a new class of tools for skilled tradespeople that harness the power of AI and machine learning. To date, Canvas has focused on drywall finishing which, studies have shown, has among the highest prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder cases, with as many as one in four workers experiencing such effects.
Canvas’ robot can apply both level 5 and level 4 drywall finishes in a fraction of the time, and at a higher level of safety and reliability, compared to similar traditional methods. In contrast to manual application, the robot applies a single consistent layer of joint compound over wet tape and telescopes to 15.5 feet to do the vast majority of the work at height. It reduces repetitive motion injuries and captures 99.9% of the dust produced by sanding.
As part of the partnership, Hilti will assume the manufacturing responsibilities for future Canvas systems based on the proven Jaibot platform, giving Canvas a reliable and scalable global supply to meet the huge demand for its finishing robots.
“At Hilti, our purpose is making construction better. We do this by focusing our resources on innovative hardware, software and services that help to increase contractor productivity, worker health & safety, and sustainability,” said Thomas Hillbrand, Member of Hilti’s Executive Board. “Our shared values bring Hilti and Canvas together—and we’re excited to support Canvas in reimagining better ways of working through the power of robotics and AI.”
“It’s extremely validating that the demand for our drywall finishing robot quickly outstretched our capacity to produce this year,” says Canvas’ CEO, Kevin Albert. “Contractors continue to struggle with rising costs and labor shortages. The demand we see is testament to the critical need for new tools in the industry to address these challenges and empower our skilled workforce. We’re excited to announce this partnership which continues to push the boundary of what is possible and positions Canvas to meet current and future demand for our machines globally.”
The Canvas-Hilti partnership positions the construction robotics company to scale globally in an industry that is ripe for change. The partnership will enable Canvas to help the drywall industry solve its chronic and growing labor problem, while also making the job site cleaner, safer and less strenuous for the people doing the work.
About Canvas
Canvas is a construction robotics company whose mission is to enable people to build in bold new ways. The Canvas system provides a flexible approach to drywall finishing, combining the skills and expertise of trained workers with technology that, together, enable drywall finishing work to be done better, faster, safer, and more consistently. Canvas has been recognized by Forbes and Fortune on their top AI and start-up lists, respectively, and recently won the Pro Tools Innovation Award for Technology/Robotics.
About Hilti Group
The Hilti Group supplies the worldwide construction and energy industries with technologically leading products, systems, software and services. With about 32,000 team members in over 120 countries, the company stands for direct customer relationships, quality and innovation. Hilti generated annual sales of more than CHF 6.3 billion in 2022. The headquarters of the Hilti Group have been located in Schaan, Liechtenstein, since its founding in 1941. The company is privately owned by the Martin Hilti Family Trust, which ensures its long-term continuity. The Hilti Group’s strategic orientation is based on a caring and performance-oriented culture and the goals of creating enthusiastic customers and building a better future.
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ENGINEERING TECH
Toyota Material Handling | March 08, 2023
On March 7, 2023, North America's eminent manufacturer of forklifts and material handling solutions, Toyota Material Handling (TMH), along with Cornell University's College of Engineering representatives, unveiled the revolutionary Toyota Forklift Learning Studio at Cornell's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The world's first Forklift Learning Studio, a unique and dynamic cooperation between TMH and Cornell, gives students a creative outlet for real-world application in a new, immersive learning experience that could impact higher education.
Their state-of-the-art learning studio has industry-leading products, components, and technology to connect students' curricula to real-world products. Forklifts will teach students about mechanical properties and how they fit into a more extensive system while exposing them to fluid mechanics, heat transfer, hydraulics, engines, transmissions, motors, etc. This experimental-learning facility, designed with the latest forklift technology, stimulates creative thinking, intellectual discovery, and real-world application of classroom theories, supporting a modern approach to education that balances lecture and lab sessions.
Brett Wood, Toyota Material Handing North America President & CEO, remarked, "At Toyota, we believe making things is about making people, and this learning studio is a great example of that guiding principle."
(Source – CISION PR Newswire)
Brian Kirby, Associate Director of Undergraduate Affairs for Cornell's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, stated, "I became passionate about this when it became clear to me that students were motivated by seeing how what they learned in class applied to their everyday life and to their career opportunities, and they didn't want to wait very long to get to that point."
(Source – CISION PR Newswire)
About Toyota Material Handling
Toyota Material Handling, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, offers material handling products and solutions. The Toyota Production System emphasizes on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction in over 230 North American facilities. Toyota dealers can solve many warehousing and distribution issues thanks to their industry-leading material-handling products. Toyota offers the most comprehensive material handling, automation, energy, advanced logistics, and warehouse optimization solutions for every application.
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PERSPECTIVES, CONSTRUCTION
Core & Main | March 09, 2023
Core & Main, a leading distributor of water, storm drainage, wastewater, and fire protection products recently completed its acquisition of Landscape & Construction Supplies, LLC. As previously announced, all assets of Landscape & Construction Supplies will now be a part of Core & Main. With the completion of the acquisition of Landscape & Construction Supplies, Core & Main is set to enhance their market position by expanding their product offerings and services. The acquisition provides Core & Main with access to a wider range of high-quality products, including silt fence, erosion control products, and geosynthetics.
Landscape & Construction Supplies with two locations in Chicago’s metropolitan area is a full-service provider of geosynthetics products. Since 2004, Landscape & Construction Supplies has built a reputation as a top provider of silt fences, as well as geosynthetics, erosion control products, and drainage materials. Their products and services are available for customers in more than 15 states. Their steady commitment to quality and innovation has made them a go-to supplier of geosynthetics, erosion control products, and drainage materials for contractors, engineers, and municipalities alike.
Steve LeClair, Chief Executive Officer of Core & Main, stated, “The acquisition of Landscape & Construction Supplies allows Core & Main to expand our existing geosynthetics and erosion control product offering to our customers in the upper Midwest through the expertise and experience of this established and well-regarded company.”
(Source – Business Wire)
Brad Cowles, President of Core & Main, remarked, “We are pleased to welcome the Landscape & Construction Supplies associates into the Core & Main family.” He further added, "Their team’s breadth of knowledge and strong local relationships will strengthen our ability to serve our combined customer base in the region."
(Source – Business Wire)
About Core & Main
Core & Main, founded in 2017 and headquartered in St. Louis, MO, is a major national distributor serving municipal, non-residential, and residential end markets for water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire prevention products and services. They have over 300 locations throughout the country, allowing them to provide their customers with local expertise and a reliable supply network.
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