Raise Robotics Secures $7.75 Million to Advance Construction Automation
Raise Robotics’ automated system installs brackets along slab edges, enhancing safety and precision for curtain wall panel installation.
Raise Robotics, the innovator behind the Raise Robotics Construction Platform, announced a successful seed funding round on July 30, raising $7.75 million. The round was spearheaded by MaC Venture Capital, with additional backing from Undivided Ventures and returning investors including Cybernetix Ventures, Zacua Ventures, and Union Labs. This latest infusion brings Raise Robotics’ total capital raised to $11.8 million.
Milestone Project: Curtainwall Layout at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Coinciding with this funding announcement, Raise Robotics completed the curtainwall layout for over 10,000 glass panels at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. This project highlights the platform’s growing role in large-scale, high-precision construction tasks.
Expanding the Role of Robotics in High-Risk Construction Tasks
Originally designed to install brackets on slab edges for facade panels in mid- to high-rise buildings, Raise Robotics’ platform has evolved to tackle a variety of hazardous construction activities. Its capabilities now include performing laser measurements near precarious edges, executing hammer drilling for penetrations, and conducting layout tasks before workers access nearly finished floors. These functions significantly reduce risk exposure for construction crews.
CEO Gary Chen on Future Growth and Innovation
Gary Chen, CEO and cofounder of Raise Robotics, emphasized the company’s focus on expanding field deployment and delivering tangible value to clients. “Our immediate goal is to deepen collaboration with current customers and increase the number of robots actively working on job sites,” Chen explained. “This funding will also accelerate development of a new robot iteration designed for modularity, enabling it to be mounted on scissor lifts or boom lifts to access challenging areas.”
Founders’ Expertise Drives Technological Advancement
Founded in 2021 by Chen and Conley Oster, Raise Robotics combines deep construction industry knowledge with cutting-edge robotics expertise. Oster brings extensive experience as a project manager at Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. in San Francisco, while Chen’s background includes work at Waymo and various robotics startups. Their complementary skills have shaped the platform’s focus on addressing critical safety and efficiency challenges on construction sites.
Expanding Applications Based on Customer Needs
Oster highlighted the platform’s versatility, noting current tools such as torque drivers, hammer drill attachments, layout instruments, and surface profilers. “We are committed to broadening our robot’s capabilities in response to customer feedback,” he said. “Over the past year, the demand for multipurpose robotic solutions has been unmistakably clear.”
Measuring Success Through Uptime and Reliability
As construction firms increasingly integrate robotics, Raise Robotics evaluates performance using uptime metrics similar to those applied to traditional equipment. Oster remarked, “Multipurpose robots offer compelling uptime statistics, reinforcing their value proposition on job sites.”
