Automated Architecture (AUAR), a construction tech start-up, has secured a £2.6 million (US$3.3m) seed investment to drive its mission of revolutionising sustainable and affordable housing through robotic micro-factories.
The funding round, backed by investors such as Miles Ahead, Robotics & Automation Ventures (ABB RA Ventures), Rival Holdings and Morgan Stanley, among other notable angel investors, is earmarked to fuel AUAR’s expansion into the US market. This includes adding 10 new partner licenses and ramping up operations to tap into the US. Additionally, AUAR seemingly remains steadfast in its pursuit of ambitious goals, aiming to partner with 40 licensees by 2030. This collective effort is projected to yield over 75,000 energy-efficient homes annually, marking significant progress in the reduction of CO2 emissions.
AUAR’s core strategy revolves around the establishment of a distributed micro-factory network, strategically partnering with home builders and contractors across Europe and North America. Through licensing its advanced robotic micro-factories and technological solutions, AUAR empowers these partners to produce low-energy, sustainable timber homes on a scale and price comparable to conventional housing.
With a mission to foster collaboration among communities, contractors, architects and developers, AUAR harnesses the potential of robotics and AI to build high-quality homes that are accessible, driving down costs for end-users while simultaneously meeting crucial sustainability targets.
Commenting on the significance of AUAR’s mission, Mollie Claypool, co-founder, and CEO, emphasised the pressing need for affordable, low-energy homes, citing the current challenges in scaling sustainable timber housing.
“Robots and AI allow us to deliver high-quality housing at significantly lower costs, increasing margins and productivity while lowering the cost of the end users,” Claypool shared. “By using our solution construction companies are incentivised to meet much-needed sustainability targets.”
Gilles Retsin, CTO and chief architect at AUAR, echoed Claypool’s sentiments. He said: “AUAR has developed all the tech home builders need to develop, product and build affordable low-energy homes while increasing margins and productivity. Our technology is low CapEx, doesn’t require big factories and pays itself back in a few months.”
With AUAR’s innovative approach gaining traction and substantial financial backing, the future of sustainable and affordable housing looks brighter than ever.
