Robots to paint walls for half of BTO built from 2025 sites

The robots are taking over they could be painting and plastering walls for about half the Build-ToOrder (BTO) projects built from 2025, and soon, these machines could even be conducting inspection and remote supervision works.

- Wong Yang

Using robots is part of efforts by HDB to improve productivity and safety at construction sites, said Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How on Oct 23.

Speaking at the Housing Board's professional engagement and knowledge-sharing forum at HDB Hub, he said that about half of new BTO sites will progressively tap robots for painting and some plastering from 2025. He said adopting robotics and automation tools will allow workers to be trained for higher-order tasks.

The plans are part of HDB's drive to improve overall productivity at public housing construction sites by 40 per cent by 2030.

As at 2021, 26.2 per cent of that target had been achieved, HDB said previously.

The roll-out of robots at BTO sites will be done progressively, and follows 10 trials conducted across several BTO sites since 2023. These trials have yielded positive outcomes, said HDB.

For instance, an architectural finishing robot at a BTO site in Yishun North has improved trade productivity the amount of physical output per man-hourby up to 30 per cent. The two-year trial of the robot started in August 2023.

The robot, which is capable of painting, plastering and sanding, has sensors to plan its route around the site and navigate tight corners while applying finishing works on interior surfaces like walls and ceilings.