Advancements in Construction Technology: AI and Robotics Leading the Way
The construction industry is witnessing a transformative wave driven by artificial intelligence and robotics. Recently, Procore revealed a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to enhance the design of high-performance data centers, while the innovative startup Kewazo secured significant new funding to expand its jobsite automation solutions.
Revolutionizing Material Handling with Robotics: Kewazo’s Latest Funding Milestone
On March 19, Kewazo, a robotics firm specializing in automating scaffolding and material transport on construction sites, announced a $35 million investment round. This funding was led by Schooner Capital and supported by prominent investors including Chevron Technology Ventures, Asahi Kasei, Benson Capital, Mana Ventures, Gaingels, Atlas Ventures, True Ventures, and Cybernetix Ventures.
Kewazo’s flagship product, the Liftbot, has been deployed across over 20 industrial locations spanning North America and Europe. These sites include refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical manufacturing complexes, power generation facilities, and various construction projects. The Liftbot serves as an efficient alternative to traditional cranes and manual labor for scaffolding assembly and material handling, significantly improving safety and productivity.
Building the Future: Physical AI Integration in Industrial Environments
By gathering extensive operational data from deployments in diverse locations-from Houston to Ireland-Kewazo is leveraging this information to develop a comprehensive physical AI platform. This platform aims to optimize vertical material movement and automate additional workflows within industrial settings.
The involvement of energy and materials industry giants Chevron Technology Ventures and Asahi Kasei marks a strategic expansion in Kewazo’s investor base. Artem Kuchukov, CEO and co-founder of Kewazo, emphasized that the new capital will accelerate the company’s deployment capabilities, broaden its service offerings, and deepen integration with existing clients’ operations.
“While many industrial operators are aware of robotics, few have witnessed their practical application on-site. Kewazo bridges this gap by delivering immediate value in automating vertical material transport. Our clients are increasingly requesting expansion into new workflows, and with the support of our investors, we are rapidly advancing this transformation,” Kuchukov stated.
Alexandra Manick, managing director at Schooner Capital, highlighted the pivotal role of AI investment in their decision to back Kewazo, noting the ongoing revolution automation is bringing to construction and heavy industry sectors.
Procore and NVIDIA: Pioneering Digital Twins for Data Center Construction
At NVIDIA’s GPU Technology Conference held in San Jose, California, on March 16, Procore announced a groundbreaking integration between its construction management software and NVIDIA’s Omniverse DSX Blueprint platform. This partnership targets the design and construction of complex infrastructure projects, such as cutting-edge data centers-referred to by NVIDIA as “AI factories.”
These hyper-scale facilities demand precise coordination, as even minor on-site modifications can disrupt critical factors like airflow and GPU efficiency. The collaboration aims to mitigate such risks by enabling construction teams to simulate design changes within a highly accurate, physics-based 3D environment.
“Construction projects often deviate from their original plans once ground is broken. Our integration with NVIDIA’s Omniverse DSX Blueprint ensures a continuous digital thread, moving beyond static models to predictive AI-driven simulations. This empowers our clients to reduce risks and enhance project outcomes in unprecedented ways,” explained Steve Davis, Procore’s president of product and technology.
The partnership merges Procore’s collaborative work management system with NVIDIA’s virtual and augmented reality technologies, creating a unified platform that synchronizes construction data in real time. Procore will serve as the central hub, seamlessly converting and updating complex 3D models from over 15 BIM and CAD formats into a single, dynamic digital twin powered by NVIDIA Omniverse libraries.
Utilizing OpenUSD, the open-source standard for 3D data interoperability, this integrated workflow is designed to deliver a fully optimized digital twin that supports operational efficiency long after project completion.
