Advanced Construction Robotics launches ‘world’s first’ rebar robot

Aug 10, 2023

March 15, 2023 by Mark Allinson Leave a Comment

Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR) has launched its second product, IronBOT, during ConExpo, the largest gathering of construction professionals in North America, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

IronBOT augments construction crews by lifting, carrying, and placing up to 5,000-pound bundles of rebar in a transverse or longitudinal orientation without the need for heavy lifting from crew members.

When IronBOT is combined with TyBOT, ACR’s rebar-tying robot, this powerful BOT Bundle can typically provide 50% schedule savings during rebar installation.

Stephen Muck, founder and executive chairman of Advanced Construction Robotics, says: “We are confident the combination of TyBOT and IronBOT generates a disruptive technology, meaning the time and cost savings are so significant on a job that it will disrupt the way our industry installs reinforcing steel.”

IronBOT successfully completed its inaugural project in February on the Port St Lucie West Boulevard Bridge in Port St Lucie, Florida, alongside Shelby Erectors. The originally estimated duration of the rebar installation was 14 days.

By augmenting Shelby’s crew with the BOT Bundle, the same amount of work was completed in only seven days. During the pilot, IronBOT placed 147,032 lb of rebar while TyBOT completed 58,068 ties over 6.5 production shifts.

Shelby Erectors, ACR’s Integration Partner, has already been boosting crew productivity with TyBOT for over two years.

Jack Nix, COO of Shelby Erectors, says: “We were excited to be able to have IronBOT and TyBOT work together alongside our crews on this project. We were impressed that we could slash our rebar installation schedule in half. We are actively looking for new projects to incorporate the BOT Bundle in our operations.”

Danielle Proctor, CEO of Advanced Construction Robotics, says: “I am so excited to see our initial prediction of cutting schedules by at least 50 percent come to fruition on IronBOT’s maiden voyage. This was a perfect example of how field teams, working alongside our technology, can form a ‘modern crew’ to unleash disruptive productivity levels.

“This robotic revolution provides innovative construction firms the ability to become game-changers by adopting and putting their ‘modern crew’ to work.”

ACR is also excited to announce Brayman Construction and Advantage Steel and Construction are currently the only contractors certified to provide the BOT Bundle solution as part of its newly launched Certified Innovator Program.

Certified Innovators have dedicated crews that have gone through hands-on training on how to optimize operations alongside the BOT Bundle and incorporate the technology in their installation pricing.

Zach Rosswog, general manager of Advantage Steel and Construction, says: “We are excited to work together to show the construction industry how this adoption of robotics at an organizational and cultural level can lead to overall results that are impossible to ignore.”

Tim Taylor, vice president – heavy civil at Brayman Construction, says: Technology is changing the way we approach construction. It helps contractors like us cope with shrinking labor forces and growing demand. We become more productive, efficient, and safer when we pair this technology with an innovative mindset.

“That’s why we are proud to be the first Certified Innovator and will continue to work with ACR to weave technology into our company identity.”

Filed Under: Construction, News Tagged With: acr, advanced, alongside, bot, bundle, certified, completed, construction, crew, crews, erectors, excited, installation, ironbot, rebar, robotics, shelby, steel, technology, tybot, work