JLG has acquired San Francisco based Robotics developer Canvas and has plans to start integrating its technology into some of its products in a move towards the production of fully autonomous equipment.
A JLG mast type lift converted to an early Canvas robot
The two companies first worked together around six years ago when Canvas developed the first pedestrian controlled drywall robot, which also used a JLG mast type platform as a base for its technology. It has since been developed into a purpose built robot that automates jobs such as drywall/plasterboard finishing, thus improving efficiency and safety, while reducing effort, allowing tradesmen to focus on other, less boring and onerous work.
Canvas was established in 2017 by Kevin Albert and Maria Telleria Canvas with backing from Menlo Ventures and Brick & Mortar Ventures. Since then, the company has recruited a team of robotics veterans from Boston Dynamics, SRI, Apple, Otherlab, and MIT and in 2021 did a second round of fundraising. It has now developed its first practical products.
The Canvas 1200CX drywall finishing robot- See video below JLG access technology officer, Shashank Bhatia, said: “We welcome the Canvas team members to the company, they bring a strong combination of technical depth, creativity and a clear understanding of job site challenges. We see tremendous opportunity to apply their expertise to the next generation of purpose built solutions.”
Canvas founder and managing director Kevin Albert added: “I am thrilled to announce that Canvas has been acquired by JLG. We share the vision that the future of construction will be enabled by a new class of robotic machines. Our mission has always been to empower workers to build in bold new ways. Our worker controlled robots leverage advanced sensing, data, and AI to make material installation more efficient on site. By improving workers’ toolsets, we are making drywall finishing safer and more attractive to a shrinking pool of skilled labour.”
“Joining forces with JLG allows us to accelerate that mission in a much bigger way. JLG has a long history of developing rugged, job site ready equipment that empowers workers on construction sites. By combining Canvas’s cutting edge robotics and AI with JLG’s deep industry experience, innovation, and global scale, we are making our shared vision a reality. I am incredibly proud of our team and deeply grateful to our customers, partners, and investors who share our vision for the future of construction.”
You can see the 1200CX drywall finishing robot in action in the video below:
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Eric_L
And you can reserve one for the low, low price of $12500 per month (6 month minimum rent.
Eric_L
And you can reserve one for the low, low price of $12500 per month (6 month minimum rent.
https://canvas.ahilia.com/reservation/