Real estate comes with a set of complexities that range from soaring home prices to dwindling supplies. However, startups like BotBuilt are stepping in to revolutionize homebuilding through the power of robotics. Founded in 2020 by Brent Wadas, Colin Devine, and robotics engineer Barrett Ames, BotBuilt aims to leverage technology to lower the cost of home construction while addressing the challenges posed by a housing shortage.
BotBuilt envisions a future where technology can make homeownership more accessible by mitigating the negative impacts of rising homebuilding costs. The company focuses on a specific aspect of home construction—framing—and employs robotics to streamline the process.
The inspiration for BotBuilt comes from personal experience, particularly that of robotics engineer Barrett Ames. Ames, while renovating a fixer-upper near Duke University, recognized the challenges and patterns in the construction industry. The co-founders identified the housing industry’s need to address the ongoing housing shortage, emphasizing the urgency to build more homes.
BotBuilt’s robotic system doesn’t build entire homes from scratch but concentrates on the framing process. The robots assemble panels for walls, floor trusses, and roof trusses, major components of home framing. Ames emphasizes the system’s flexibility, allowing it to be reprogrammed for various frame designs quickly. With an estimated operating cost of around $1 per hour, BotBuilt’s robotic system aims to dramatically accelerate the pace of homebuilding while reducing costs.
Home framing costs, typically ranging from $7 to $16 per square foot, can be a significant portion of construction expenses. By automating this step, BotBuilt aims to make the homebuilding process more efficient and cost-effective. The system’s adaptability sets it apart from previous attempts at automation in construction, offering a solution to the industry’s diverse design requirements.
BotBuilt primarily serves homebuilders by operating robot-equipped factories to produce framing components. While the company has built nine homes so far, revenue is at $75,000, with plans to scale up operations in 2024. With ten builders and over 2,000 homes in the pipeline, BotBuilt anticipates significant growth. The company’s recent seed funding round of $12.4 million, including investors like Ambassador Supply, Y Combinator, Owens Corning, and Shadow Ventures, will contribute to expanding the team from 13 to about 20 members.
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