As the world’s construction sector battles high costs, labor shortages, and unprecedented demand, many are looking to the tech sector for innovative solutions to build better and smarter. According to a recent report by Cemex Ventures, Cemex’s corporate venture capital and open innovation unit, contech investment in 2022 reached a staggering $5.38 billion. Nearly 50% of this investment occurred in North America, with 30% in Europe. The U.S., U.K., and Canada were the most active countries, and a significant 53% of the investments were funneled into products that enhance productivity.
Cemex also released its annual list of the Top 50 Contech Startups, and we’ve picked out some that caught our eye. These startups are revolutionizing the construction industry with their groundbreaking technologies and innovative approaches.
Waste Robotics (https://wasterobotic.com/)
Based out of Quebec, Waste Robotics is turning the dream of robots doing the dirty work into reality. The company integrates advanced waste handling processes, computer vision, deep learning algorithms, and state-of-the-art robotic technologies to create smaller, more precise, safer, and more profitable waste recycling facilities. This is particularly valuable for construction, which generates nearly 1.3 billion tons of waste each year. Plus, it's oddly satisfying to watch robots methodically sort through waste.
CoCircular (www.cocircular.es)
CoCircular aims to lead the field of 100% digital and traceable waste management. Their unwavering commitment is to prevent waste from ending up in landfills and to return it to the value chain, ensuring ambitious recycling with guaranteed circularity. CoCircular’s SaaS technology, 360º Advisor, allows for 100% digitized and traceable waste management for customers such as construction companies, developers, real estate funds, and renewable energy companies. This technology guarantees the recovery of more than 70% of waste, although CoCircular currently achieves an impressive 89%.
Advanced Construction Robots (https://www.constructionrobots.com/)
The name says it all. Advanced Construction Robotics creates advanced construction robots for the industry, utilizing AI to automate processes. Their flagship products include TyBOT, which performs rebar tying duties, and IronBOT, which lifts, carries, and self-places horizontal and longitudinal rebar. TyBOT can self-locate, self-position, and self-tie over 1,200 intersections per hour, significantly improving efficiency and reducing the physical strain on human workers.
Automatic Construction (https://www.automatic-construction.com/)
You can’t just inflate a home like a balloon, can you? Well, Automatic Construction is making that a reality. The concept of inflatable concrete buildings might sound crazy, but it’s an innovative tool for rapidly building structures. Here's how it works: plastic fabrics with reinforcement and internal structures are delivered to a site and pumped full of air. Once inflated, the structure is filled with pumpable concrete. The forms stay put, providing built-in waterproofing and an airtight barrier. Mechanical systems are installed in built-in chases, simplifying the construction process.
Mix Interesting (https://mixteresting.com/)
Mix Interesting is redefining concrete mixing with artificial intelligence. This digital mixing master uses AI to develop greener concrete 10 times faster than traditional methods. By combining mathematical optimization, physical models, and AI in a software tool, Mix Interesting can propose new and promising concrete mix designs with a single click. This innovation shortens innovation cycles, reduces costs, and minimizes the need for numerous laboratory experiments.
2050 Materials (https://2050-materials.com/)
2050 Materials offers a digital information and research platform and API for the AEC industry to explore, compare, and source building materials. Their goal is to simplify and centralize the complex global data on building products. The company also developed the Embodied Carbon Optimizer, a visual tool that provides a simplified life cycle assessment for early design phases. This tool helps quickly compare the climate impacts of building systems, like facades and roofs, by customizing standard assemblies per component.
Conox (https://conox.com/)
Rather than disposing of concrete waste, Conox has developed a process to transform it into traditional glass and other glass products. Their proprietary methods provide a high-value use for recycled concrete and supply the glass industry with a new, low greenhouse gas raw material. Given that waste concrete is generated at a rate of nearly 2.2 billion tons a year, Conox’s innovation helps keep this material out of landfills and reintroduces it into the economy.
These startups are just a snapshot of the innovation sweeping through the construction tech industry. As they continue to develop and refine their technologies, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking solutions that will transform the way we build, reduce environmental impact, and address labor shortages. The future of construction is indeed looking bright, thanks to the relentless pursuit of innovation by these trailblazing companies.
As a pioneer, disruptor, and startup in the fully automated modular home technology, Trullii Modular salutes and supports all these innovators. We know firsthand how difficult it is to launch new technology but also understand the positive impact it can have on the construction industry and society at large. At Trullii, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in modular home construction, leveraging automation to create better, more precise products while addressing labor shortages. Together, with the incredible work of these contech startups, we are shaping a future where construction is smarter, more sustainable, and profoundly transformative. Let's continue to build a world where innovation leads the way and every structure stands as a testament to human ingenuity.
Ready to see innovation in action? Visit Trullii's gallery to explore our cutting-edge technology and get an inside look at the Genesis Modular factory.