ConBotics is a robot developer from Berlin, aka ‘those who try to innovatively relieve the craft industry through robotized tools’ are not only fighting against inflation and the shortage of skilled workers, but also want to make digitization in the craft sector usable for everyone with the help of easy-to-use robot tools (even for those who are afraid of technology). Their first step: the MalerRoboter, an autonomous robot for interior surface coating.
The shortage of skilled workers is slowing down growth in the construction industry. In a study conducted by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce in autumn 2021, 80% of construction companies surveyed stated that the shortage of skilled workers was the greatest business risk for their company, despite the coronavirus crisis. Painting companies are particularly affected by this, as the training rate has fallen sharply. As a result, personnel costs are constantly rising and customers must be prepared for long waiting times.
For this reason, ConBotics has set itself the goal of supporting skilled workers in the construction industry with robotized tools and counteracting the shortage of skilled workers in the industry.
ConBotics develops and manufactures robots for the automation of monotonous and physically demanding tasks in the construction industry. Their distribution is handled by established sales partners in the industry.
ConBotics’ first product is the MalerRoboter for the automatic coating of interior surfaces in large-scale projects.
The robot essentially consists of the self-developed, patented lightweight robot arm, a mobile, autonomously operating platform on which a paint sprayer, a 35-liter paint container and a battery are mounted.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Areas of application for the MalerRoboter are large, monotonous surfaces that are coated in a single color and where the integration of the MalerRoboter pays off. Large painting companies in particular are the target group for ConBotics, as they generally also acquire the large projects.
In summary, our customers benefit from the following advantages:
- By reducing the time in the coating process by 50%, more orders can be realized and overall sales can be increased.
- Up to 80% of personnel costs can be saved in the surface coating process. This means that the overall costs for the painting company can be significantly reduced.
- The robot guarantees consistently high coating quality thanks to its precise and repetitive working methods. Time-consuming and cost-intensive reworking is no longer necessary.
- Optimization of paint consumption thanks to the precise movement of the robot (e.g. avoidance of double coatings, reduction of paint mist). Material costs are reduced by up to 20 % thanks to the resource-saving working method.
- Greater planning reliability and flexibility for orders: The system is always ready for use and processes can be planned digitally.
- Better working conditions and greater occupational safety for skilled workers by avoiding the monotonous and physically demanding coating process. This can make the company more attractive as an employer. (1400 character)
E.E: What’s the news about new products/services?
The MalerRoboter is currently proving itself on construction sites throughout Germany as part of our pilot projects and will also be available for public use from april 2024. customers can look forward to a celebratory market launch at the FAF trade fair 2024 in Cologne, which will be accompanied by exciting talks, product demos and other interesting activities.
This means a new opportunity for trade businesses of all sizes to use these innovative robotized tools and thus remain competitive. Thanks to the intuitive operation of the MalerRoboter, this gadget is not just for technology fanatics, but really for everyone!
E.E: What are the ranges of products/services?
The MalerRoboter sees the light of day for the first time in April 2024. However, this does not mean that ConBotics is stopping there: together with our partners, we are also working on robotized solutions for floor coating, but an attachment for spraying filler on walls and attachments for sanding are also planned. Of course, attachments for processing ceilings will also follow. At the heart of this is the mobile platform, which we see as a universal basis for all areas of application, a universal docking station for robotized tools, so to speak.
E.E: What is the state of the market where you are currently active? + 6. What can you tell us about market trends?
Unfortunately, the entire construction and trade sector is facing a construction recession this year. Whether it’s increased personnel, material or fuel costs – everyone is noticing the slump in the order market and the demand for the cheapest possible offer.
However, in order to enable companies to remain competitive, we are trying to use the MalerRoboter to relieve the burden on workers on the one hand and to enable site managers to continue to offer a good price, even in comparison to companies with a high proportion of international temporary workers.
It’s not only skilled workers who suffer under these conditions, but also us end customers – normal people who can hardly find affordable housing or who sometimes have to wait 8 months to get an appointment with a master painter or other craftsmen.
So, until the situation stabilizes in the coming years, the MalerRoboter will provide a remedy and enable uncomplicated execution.
E.E: What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
The MalerRoboter – the world’s lightest and most modular robot for coating interior walls is a worldwide novelty in the hand tool industry. unlike other manufacturers, ConBotics dispenses with a bulky and heavy conventional industrial robot arm and relies on a self-developed lightweight robot arm, which can simply be treated as an attachment to the mobile platform, which means that the robot can be easily disassembled. This not only means that it can be easily transported to any construction site, but also that the transportation effort is reduced to a minimum.
the patented technology from ConBotics is therefore a real game changer for the entire craft industry, because especially nowadays a painting company thinks twice about whether it wants to use a robotized tool that requires a truck and a crane, or one that can be easily transported from a to b with the 2 employees in a station wagon
E.E: What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2024?
We assume that the MalerRoboter will be in great demand. We are already receiving numerous inquiries every day, which we look forward to processing as soon as the market launch begins. Due to the high demand, we are currently working at full capacity with pilot projects and are pleased that the robot has developed so well and can withstand real conditions on rough construction sites.
However, to avoid any surprises, we are initially planning to rent it out in 2024 with an employee who is familiar with using the robot. From 2025, the aim is to sell and use the MalerRoboter independently.
