Construction robots gain investment

Q-Bot, the robotics portfolio business of specialist investor in energy and industrial high-tech firms, EcoMachines Ventures, has secured follow-on investment from a number of angel groups to step up its robotic technology platform for the construction and energy sectors.

Since the end of last year, the total funding is around £2M and includes finance from the EU Commission Horizon 2020 Programme.

A leading UK robotics provider, Q-Bot specialises in providing robotic solutions to the construction and energy industries for construction, maintenance and renovation of buildings and factories. Workers are able to use these intelligent tools to remotely inspect and perform a wide array of tasks in difficult to reach places such as at height, in crawlspaces or where hazards make access potentially dangerous.

Robots are able to survey these spaces and create a detailed 3D map. Other information such environmental conditions and the ability to identify and locate services faults and other hazards in order to plan servicing and maintenance can also be performed by the robot.

The technology can also apply treatments such as insulation, protective finishes and other measures and Q-Bot’s primary goal is to use a robot to apply insulation in under floor voids in the 18 million homes in Northern Europe with suspended floors.

Q-Bot say that using robots to undertake the job of converting these homes can be done for at a great reduced cost, saving time and creating less disruption compared to more traditional methods.

Carrying out this work will see energy bills reduced, meaning achieving a reduction in fuel poverty can be done more cheaply than by using traditional methods. This has seen Q-Bot gain a number of key clients in the social housing sector such as Camden Council, Cardiff City Council, CityWest Homes, Islington Council and Peabody.

Mathew Holloway, CEO & Co-Founder commented: “The construction industry still relies on many labour intensive processes which have not changed for hundreds of years. Our vision is to create intelligent tools that empower people, upskilling the workforce, creating new jobs, making the operation safer, more productive and rewarding. We have built a great team, proven the technology works, demonstrated that customer’s value our offer, and we are now working with partners to scale this innovative new service across the UK, France and further afield.

Q-Bot’s COO & Co-Founder, Tom Lipinski, said: “People seem to treat robotic technologies as a threat – our robots are intelligent tools that enable us to bring immediate benefits to: customers (warmer, more energy efficient homes without the usual disruption and eye watering costs), workers (we let the robot crawl under the floor and spray insulation whilst controlling it remotely), and the environment (less damage to homes, no construction waste, and lower energy use). We expand human capabilities – improving lives, reducing energy costs and helping the environment – all at an acceptable price.”

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