Canvas Construction, Inc.

Canvas, a robotics company based in San Francisco, California, was founded in 2017 by Henrik Bennetsen, Kevin Albert, and Maria Telleria. The company specialises in construction robotics, with a focus on automating drywall installation using machine learning. Canvas has developed a proprietary system that integrates a modified JLG lift, robotic arm, and sensors to achieve a high-quality finish in drywall projects. This technology allows skilled workers to deliver consistent Level 5+ finishes while significantly reducing the time required for drywall finishing from 7 days to just 2 days.

The company's mission is to enhance the quality and affordability of living and working spaces while improving working conditions for construction professionals. Canvas emphasises a strong company culture, prioritising high performance, empathy, and ongoing dialogue to create a thriving workplace. It offers competitive pay, equity, comprehensive health coverage, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Canvas has raised $25.5 million in funding, including a Series B round of $24 million. Formerly known as Pneubotics, Canvas continues to operate with the vision of enabling construction in bold new ways, leveraging technology to revolutionise the industry.

Canvas, a San Francisco-based construction robotics company, was founded in 2017 by Henrik Bennetsen, Kevin Albert, and Saul Griffith. Formerly known as Pneubotics, the company emerged with the vision of transforming the construction industry by integrating advanced robotics and machine learning. With a focus on drywall installation, Canvas aims to improve the quality and affordability of construction while enhancing the working conditions of the people involved in building projects.

The company’s proprietary system utilises a modified JLG lift, robotic arm, and sensors to automate the drywall finishing process. This innovation addresses a significant need in the construction sector, which has traditionally been slow to adopt technological advancements. Drywall installation, a $25 billion industry, is known for being labour-intensive and physically demanding, often leading to musculoskeletal injuries among workers. By automating this process, Canvas not only reduces the physical toll on workers but also shortens the drywall finishing time from seven days to two.

Canvas’s approach is unique in that it combines the skills and expertise of trained union workers with cutting-edge technology. This collaboration results in consistently high-quality finishes, often referred to as Level 5+ finishes, the highest standard in gypsum application. The robots work alongside human workers, who programme and guide them, ensuring precision and efficiency in the finishing process. This synergy is crucial, as the construction environment is dynamic and unpredictable, requiring adaptable technology.

The company has made significant strides in partnering with the local branch of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) in the Bay Area. Through this collaboration, Canvas has trained both veteran and novice workers in operating the robotic systems, fostering a new generation of skilled labour capable of leveraging technology to achieve superior results.

In December 2020, Canvas launched out of stealth mode, having spent three years building its patent portfolio. The company raised $24 million in a Series B funding round led by Menlo Ventures, bringing its total funding to $25.5 million. This investment is intended to expand Canvas’s fleet of robots and develop new applications for its technology.

The advantages offered by Canvas's robotic systems extend beyond efficiency and precision. The robots create virtually dust-free work environments, making construction more appealing to a broader demographic, including women and younger workers. This aligns with Canvas’s mission to not only improve the construction process but also to make the industry more inclusive and sustainable.

Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a general reluctance within the industry to adopt new technologies, Canvas is poised for growth. The company has already been involved in notable projects, including the Harvey Milk Terminal at San Francisco International Airport, the Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision at UCSF, and the Chase Arena Tower, home of the Golden State Warriors.

Looking to the future, Canvas aims to address the chronic labour shortages plaguing the construction industry by providing a viable solution through automation. As the demand for building increases, particularly with initiatives like the American Jobs Plan, Canvas is well-positioned to play a significant role in shaping the future of construction. By empowering people to build in bold new ways, Canvas is not only revolutionising drywall installation but also paving the way for a more technologically advanced construction industry.

Canvas's mission is to empower people to build in innovative new ways by developing technology that improves the quality and affordability of the places where people live and work. The company aims to enhance the working conditions of construction workers by integrating robotics and machine learning into the construction process, specifically focusing on drywall finishing.

Canvas envisions a future where construction is not only efficient and high-quality but also inclusive and sustainable. By placing advanced robotic tools in the hands of skilled workers, Canvas seeks to transform the construction industry into one that is adaptable, forward-thinking, and capable of meeting the growing demand for building projects worldwide. The company aspires to make construction work more appealing and accessible to a diverse workforce, ultimately revolutionising the industry.

Canvas specialises in robotics for drywall installation, using a proprietary system that combines a modified JLG lift, robotic arm, and sensors backed by machine learning. This system automates the drywall finishing process, delivering Level 5+ finishes, the highest standard in the industry. By reducing the typical finishing time from seven days to two, Canvas provides significant time and cost savings for construction projects.

In addition to robotic systems, Canvas offers training programmes in collaboration with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). These programmes equip workers with the skills needed to operate Canvas’s robotic systems, fostering a new generation of skilled labour that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.

Canvas’s technology is adaptable and designed to work in dynamic construction environments, scanning and mapping each site to calibrate its operations. The precision and efficiency of Canvas robots create virtually dust-free workspaces, enhancing safety and comfort for workers. This innovative approach not only improves project outcomes but also addresses the chronic labour shortages in the construction industry by making jobs more attractive and sustainable.