Canvas announces partnership to innovate and address labour shortage

US-based construction robotics start-up Canvas has announced a strategic partnership with construction materials manufacturer USG.

Canvas' drywall finishing robot (Photo: Canvas)

The two organisations say they have teamed up in a bid to collectively innovate and address chronic labour shortages, schedule and budget overruns, quality inconsistencies, and productivity and safety issues within the drywall space.

The partnership is said to leverage two technical advances — onsite robotics from Canvas and advanced building materials expertise from USG. Construction material manufacturer USG has invented a variety of products and technologies for the building materials industry and holds more than 2,600 active patents.

Chris Griffin, president and CEO at USG Corporation, said, “In partnering with Canvas, we are expanding our ability to use breakthrough technology to advance how our customers are able to finish projects.”

Back in March, Canvas announced that global construction equipment manufacturer Hilti will now produce Canvas’s robotic machines.

Kevin Albert, CEO of Canvas, said, “Even with the invention of the bazooka and the box, there were still the same four-five steps to deliver a finished wall – that is now no longer true. With Hilti as Canvas’s manufacturing partner and USG teaming with us to further advance materials, Canvas can accelerate the reinvention and evolution of drywall finishing, driving value across the ecosystem from architects and owners to the current and next generation of skilled trade worker.”