Drywall robots take the risk out of the finishing process

On the surface, hanging drywall doesn’t sound like one of the more dangerous activities a construction professional can engage in on the jobsite. However, thanks to things like chronic schedule overruns and high worker injury rates from the repetitive tasks involved with drywall finishing, one in four drywall workers will develop musculoskeletal issues at some point that can shorten their careers.

Canvas, a construction robotics company, is looking to mitigate the risk of injury for drywall professionals by taking the robot out of the factory and onto the construction site. These drywall robots feature sensors, a lift station, and a mechanical arm to eliminate the need for workers to do the more repetitive elements of drywall work.

Additionally, the Canvas system protects workers from falls by doing all the “high work” and eliminates 99.9 percent of the dust that is produced during the sanding phase of the drywall process. The robot provides high-quality finishes every time and reduces the typical finishing cycle times from seven days down to two, according to Canvas. 

The goal of the Canvas system is not to replace human workers, but to provide them with better tools to more efficiently accomplish their jobs. 

“We’ve seen firsthand the unparalleled skill and expertise that a union drywall finisher leverages to make gorgeous interiors,” the Canvas website reads. “We believe in creating tools that amplify those skills, and we exist to make them more successful.”

Recently, the Canvas system has been used for new drywall installations at the San Francisco International Airport and the University of California San Francisco campus. Canvas will be announcing partnerships with various general contractors on Dec. 6.