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Advanced Construction Robotics Delivers D.T. Read Steel Co., Inc.’s TyBOT® Units to Support Their Southeast Infrastructure Work
Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR), the leader in construction robotics innovation, is proud to announce it will deliver one of two TyBOT® units to D.T. Read Steel Co., Inc. (D.T. Read) in early December. TyBOT is deployed on the I-26/I-95 Interchange Improvement Project in Harleyville, South Carolina, supporting D.T. Read’s ongoing efforts to enhance productivity, safety, and efficiency on high-volume rebar installation projects. D.T. Read’s second TyBOT will be delivered by the end of 2025.
D.T. Read’s investment follows extensive hands-on experience using TyBOT across several major infrastructure projects, including the NASA Causeway Bridge Replacement in Titusville, Florida. On that project, TyBOT completed 139,261 ties, performing 50% of both the top and bottom mats on a significant portion of the 171,733-square-foot deck. Additionally, the jobsite required debris-free work areas, making cleanliness a top priority. TyBOT helped D.T. Read meet these requirements by significantly reducing tie-wire waste, eliminating the need for extensive cleanup. As a result, the company saved 1-2 full days that would have otherwise been spent clearing debris from traditional rebar tying methods.
By expanding their use of TyBOT, D.T. Read continues its legacy of partnering with ACR, bringing innovation to the field and elevating expectations for performance in the rebar installation industry.
“D.T. Read has consistently demonstrated strong leadership in adopting technologies that improve performance on the jobsite,” said Stephen Muck, Founder & CEO of Advanced Construction Robotics. “Their experience with TyBOT has shown the real-world value of automation, and we’re excited to continue supporting their team as they integrate robotics to boost productivity, enhance safety, and strengthen their competitive profitability edge.”
By adding TyBOT to its operations, D.T. Read continues to advance its longstanding commitment to innovation and operational excellence. Their adoption of robotic solutions represents a growing industry movement toward integrating automation as a standard tool for delivering safer, faster, and higher-quality results.
“Our team has seen how TyBOT can transform the way we work—improving speed, consistency, and safety on demanding projects,” said Chris Lewis, Vice President of D.T. Read Steel Co., Inc. “Adding these units allows us to expand our capacity and give our crews another tool of the trade that helps them perform their best. We are eagerly anticipating the release of ACR’s next commercial robot, IronBOT®, and we are confident it will further enhance our productivity and streamline our operations.”
As more contractors recognize the value of robotics, ACR remains committed to advancing construction automation with jobsite-ready technology that strengthens project delivery across the nation.
Rebar-Tying Robot Now Available For Direct Purchase As Robotics Firm Gains Industry Acceptance
Advanced Construction Robotics has announced that it is now offering its rebar-tying robot through direct sales in addition to ongoing service arrangements. Training on operating the rebar-tying robot is included in the sale price, as well as future software updates and access to an online portal to track its usage and productivity. Other options include other modes of travel for non-bridge projects and a new carry function for transporting materials around the jobsite.
Read more by Jeff Rubenstone on Engineering News-Record:
Advanced Construction Robotics Named Finalist For Pittsburgh Technology Council's Tech50 Awards
Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR), an industry leader in construction robotics and technology, is proud to announce its selection as a finalist for the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Tech50 Awards in the Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning/Robotics category. This annual recognition celebrates the top companies in the Pittsburgh region, driving innovation and shaping the future of their respective industries. ACR's recognition as a finalist reinforces its role as a trailblazer in the construction industry, showcasing the company's ongoing development of robotic solutions, including TyBOT®, a rebar-tying robot, and IronBOT®, a rebar lifting, carrying, and placing robot that enhances safety, productivity, and project efficiency.
“Being recognized by the Pittsburgh Technology Council reflects our mission to advance construction through innovation,” said Stephen Muck, Founder and Executive Chairman of Advanced Construction Robotics. “Our team is passionate about developing technologies from concept to commercialization that make a real impact in the field, and this acknowledgment further motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of what robotics can achieve in construction.”
Since its founding, ACR has been driven by a team of construction and robotics experts committed to advancing the future of construction through innovation. What sets ACR apart is its unique ability to access real job sites, allowing the team to test and refine their robotic solutions in real-world conditions. This hands-on approach enables ACR to create groundbreaking automation technologies that tackle the dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs in construction and rapidly respond to unforeseen challenges. Recently, ACR announced that TyBOT is now available for purchase, marking a pivotal shift from its previous Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model. This shift from a RaaS to owning the equipment is unique in the B2B robotics industry. By focusing on practical, impactful innovations, ACR has become a leader in the construction technology space, known for introducing autonomous tools of the trade that are transforming the industry and improving safety and quality.
"We are honored to be named a finalist for the Tech50 Awards," said Danielle Proctor, President and CEO of Advanced Construction Robotics. "This recognition is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication to redefining what's possible in construction. The traction we have seen with the shift to commercialization is huge. We believe our products and business intelligence are redefining the industry while providing new job creation and retention opportunities."
The Pittsburgh Technology Council will announce the Tech50 Awards winners at their annual event on November 14, 2024.
Pittsburgh Robotics Network Declares Goal To Make Pittsburgh The "Robotics Capital of the World"
On June 29th, the Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN), a group of innovators dedicated to growing the region's robotics and artificial intelligence community, came together to declare Pittsburgh the “Robotics Capital of the World.”
Members of the group, known both nationally and worldwide for their contributions to transforming the world through robotics, included many Carnegie Mellon graduates like Advanced Construction Robotics’ co-founder Jeremy Searock and newly appointed CEO Danielle Proctor.
Jeremy said, "I've enjoyed watching the organization and its members grow, many of whom are longtime friends, former classmates, and colleagues.”
ACR Co-founder Stephen Muck said, "It's an amazing opportunity to come together and highlight the incredible talent pool that's growing in our own backyard. I am proud ACR is a Founding Member of the PRN and excited about the future we are making together to bring the next industrial revolution to reality.”
Advanced Construction Robotics Names Danielle Proctor As Chief Executive Officer
CONTACT Bryce Nelson
COMPANY Advanced Construction Robotics
PHONE 724-443-1533 x50478
EMAIL marketing@constructionrobots.com
WEB www.ConstructionRobots.com
Pittsburgh, PA, May 25, 2021 - Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR) is pleased to announce that Danielle Proctor has been appointed as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Proctor brings to ACR 25 years of construction, software, technology, new product development and leadership experience, and will immediately assume day-to-day leadership of ACR’s business operations.
Jeremy Searock will continue his role as President and Chief Technology Officer, leading current and future product innovation. Stephen Muck will remain actively involved as Chairman, providing strategic oversight as ACR continues to bring robotic equipment to the construction industry.
“Danielle has proven herself a valuable difference-maker within our company,” said Searock. “She provides the perfect storm of industry knowledge, entrepreneurial experience, and leadership abilities. Stephen and I couldn’t be more excited to work with Danielle to make robots just another machine at the jobsite.”
A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Proctor began her career as a Senior New Products & Industry Manager at Management Science Associates, involved with the product and business development of an automated business intelligence system for the Consumer-Packaged Goods industry. She then joined FreeMarkets, later acquired by Ariba, as part of the product management team that designed and launched the software interface for their auction-based supply-chain management service.
Proctor’s entrepreneurial spirit quickly took over and, at the age of 28, she founded Amelie Construction & Supply, a certified Woman/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (W/DBE) construction firm providing structural rehabilitation, erection, and foundation services throughout the eastern region where she served as President & CEO for 12 years until selling her ownership in 2015. Proctor continued to pursue her passion of being involved with start-ups by founding and acquiring several smaller ventures as well as providing private funding and consulting to companies during their critical formation stages.
Proctor’s unique combination of skill sets caught the eye of ACR co-founders Muck and Searock, who invited her to join the ACR Team as the head of Business Development in 2020.
“I’ve watched Danielle over the last 18 years develop and grow from a young entrepreneur into a mature leader capable of succeeding in a male-dominated environment,” said Muck. “I am excited to see this duo innovate and commercialize robots for an industry that is ripe for disruption.”
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About ACR
Pittsburgh-based Advanced Construction Robotics, Inc. (ACR) was co-founded in 2016 by Stephen Muck, CEO of Brayman Construction Corporation and Jeremy Searock, formerly of Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Center. The co-founders' vision is to utilize robotics and artificial intelligence to innovate and commercialize a wide range of autonomous products to lead the long-term transformation of the construction industry towards enhanced productivity, improved safety, increased profits, and reduced schedule risk.
TyBot Ties Its 2 Millionth Job Tie
We are pleased to announce that in April, TyBot officially reached the 2,000,000th job-site tie milestone. Our world-class team has successfully completed a total of 27 project deployments and has an exciting slate of jobs scheduled to close out 2021. TyBot has worked for a multitude of distinguished General Contractors and Rebar Subcontractors from Boston, MA to Miami, FL. Check out our new Project Portfolio page to learn more.
Those who have used TyBot on their projects will tell you that it isn't science fiction. TyBot is construction’s most advanced rebar installation equipment that dramatically reduces schedule risk and enhances your workforce’s productivity while keeping them safer! Read EquipmentWorlds coverage of this achievement HERE.
TyBot Deployed On The I-95 / Betsy Ross Bridge In Philadelphia, PA
On September 14th, TyBot commenced tying operations on the $93.6 million PennDOT
I-95: Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange Project's BR2 Section in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. By utilizing TyBot to complete the bulk-tying of rebar intersections, LB Construction Enterprises, subcontracted by the General Contractor, Buckley & Company, looks to enhance its crew's productivity while improving safety and reducing overall days on-site.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visits ACR
Advanced Construction Robotics hosted a tour of their facilities for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PPG) last week. PPG members met with Co-Founders Jeremy Searock and Stephen Muck to discuss how TyBot and IronBot are being integrated into today’s job sites. During the interview, Steve and Jeremy discussed the rapidly growing demand on local and national construction labor markets and how there are simply not enough workers available to fill the needed construction crews. Discussions were also held on the impact that construction robotics can have on real-world projects and how contractors that are currently utilizing TyBot and IronBot have not only been able to fill in their labor gaps but also achieve higher levels of productivity. To read the entirety of what Steve and Jeremy had to say check out the full article here:
Navigate to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website HERE.
TyBot Named Equipment Today Top Product.
Equipment Today and ForConstructionPros.com have announced TyBot as one of 2021's Top 50 New Products Award Winners. Advanced Construction Robotics is proud to add this distinguished award to its trophy case and to have TyBot named among such a distinguished group of innovative new products.
Award Winners were selected based on total page views and inquiries on ForConstructionPros.com. We would like to send a special thank you to Equipment Today, ForConstructionPros.com, and the readers that selected TyBot as one of 2021’s Top 50 New Products! We look forward to continuing to advance the industry with innovative new solutions.
Read More on ConstructionPros.com here: 2021 Contractors’ Top 50 New Products Award Winners
Be sure to stay up to date on the developments at TyBot/ACR by following our social media pages.
TyBot Helps Florida's Turnpike Opening
On May 21st, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) opened three new ramps at the heavily traveled Central Florida GreeneWay/SR 417 Interchange in Orlando, FL. TyBot Integration Partner, Shelby Erectors, utilized TyBot to help meet schedule goals while delivering increased safety, savings, and productivity to the project. Thank you to Shelby Erectors, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, and the Florida Department of Transportation.
Thank you to Beech Construction for bringing TyBot back for yet another project. TyBot joined Beech’s rebar team on the Freedom Road Turnpike Bridge Project in Butler County, PA. As part of PennDOT’s Accelerated Bridge Construction Program, the structure was constructed in sections off-site and moved into final position requiring only short-term closures. TyBot contributed to meeting the project’s enhanced schedule demands by tying continuously for 19 straight hours!
For full project details check out the project listing.
Check out the timelapse below:
More photos of the Freedom Road Project:
Stephen M. Muck Of Advanced Construction Robotics Joins PRN Board
The Pittsburgh Robotics Network welcomes the addition of Stephen M. Muck, the Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Advanced Construction Robotics, to the organization’s Board of Directors.
Muck, who also serves as chairman and CEO of Brayman Construction Corp. and a general partner at Grouse Ridge Capital, founded Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR) in 2016 alongside Jeremy Searock, formerly of Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC). ACR develops innovative robotics and artificial intelligence systems with the goal of enhancing productivity and improving safety at construction sites. Their first product was the autonomous rebar tying robot TyBOT, and they are currently in the late stages of development on the rebar placing robot IronBOT. The company is based in Pittsburgh, which is recognized as the Robotics Capital of the World.
The number of PRN directors grows to 19 with the addition of Muck, who adds his breadth of business and economic development expertise to a board already consisting of a broad set of stakeholders and leaders from industry, nonprofit and academia.
While the Pittsburgh Robotics Network is headquartered in Western Pennsylvania, the impact of the organization, as well as the influence of it’s Board, is felt beyond state lines and within the national and international robotics and machine learning communities. Among the distinguished stakeholders with seats on the PRN Board are representatives of autonomous vehicle pioneers Argo AI and Aurora; world-renowned research institutions such as Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science and the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Computing and Information; robotics leaders such as KAARTA, RE2 and Seegrid; industry leaders such as Dentons and J.P. Morgan; and nationally leading seed-stage investor Innovation Works.
Led by veteran robotics industry executive Joel Reed, the PRN is a non-profit organization formed by regional industry leaders for the purpose of cluster creation and promotion to develop a network of highly engaged stakeholders that fosters business growth and jobs for a diverse pool of talent. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network’s board is committed to fulfilling the PRN vision of making the Pittsburgh robotics ecosystem the largest and most advanced in the world, and it currently features:
Kevin Dowling, CEO, Kaarta (President)
Jorgen Pedersen, Founder and CEO, RE2 (Secretary)
Parag Batavia, Founder, Neya Systems (Treasurer)
Marcel Bergerman, COO, Near Earth Autonomy
Matt Blackburn, Senior Manager, Government Relations, Aurora
Bruce Childers, Interim Dean, School of Computing and Information, University of Pittsburgh
Howie Choset, CMU & Co-Founder, HEBI Robotics
Mike Embrescia, Chief Development Officer, Carnegie Robotics
Martial Hebert, Dean, CMU School of Computer Science
David Kalson, National Group Leader, Dentons Venture Technology and Emerging Growth Companies Group
Zack Katic, Director of Strategic Talent, Argo AI
Afshan Khan, Portfolio Executive, Innovation Works
Justin Krauss, Executive Director, Technology & Disruptive Commerce, J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking
Louisa Michaels, Chief Financial Officer, The ARM Institute
Aaron Morris, Founder and CEO, Allvision
Stephen M. Muck, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Advanced Construction Robotics
Joel Reed, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Robotics Network
Jim Rock, CEO, Seegrid
Patti Rote, Program Manager, Robotics Institute; CMU & Co-Founder, Girls of Steel
Article courtesy of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network
TyBot Captures A Spot On Construction Junkie's Most Read Articles
TyBot once again captured the eyes of the industry by earning one of ConstructionJunkie’s top 10 most read articles of 2020. It's safety benefits and productivity enhancement have become hard to ignore in the industry. Read what Shane Hedmond from Construction Junkie had to say below:
" Last week, I spent some time out in Las Vegas to attend the World of Concrete 2020, which is an immersive experience for all things concrete and masonry related. While there, I was able to catch up with the team from Advanced Construction Robotics, the makers of TyBot, the autonomous rebar tying robot.The TyBot uses a series of cameras and artificial intelligence to identify the intersections of rebar, so no operator or pre-programming is necessary. Once the machine is setup on the screed rails, it can tie up to 1,000 ties per hour. With its typical uses being in bridge work and manufacturing facilities, the width of the TyBot can expand anywhere from 9 feet to 100 feetAlthough TyBot is pretty hefty, weighing in at a maximum of 8,100 pounds, it can be transported on a 40 foot trailer with the equivalent of a Ford F250. The robot is powered by a Cummings Onan QG 5500 EFI generator with a fuel consumption rate between 0.35 gallons per hour to 0.95 gallons per hour, based upon the size of the load.
There’s no doubt that tying rebar is difficult and repetitive work for rodbusters, which makes it a prime target for robotics in the field. The hand tying process can not only cause carpel tunnel syndrome, but chronic back problems from bending and reaching for several hours a day. TyBot claims a substantial increase in productivity and a decrease in schedule with use of the robot, considering that it can work continuously and in difficult weather, such as extreme heat and heavy rains."
Read the full article and watch the video HERE.
See the full list of rankings HERE:
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