TyBOT at work on 1-40 in Jonathan Creek, N.C. Source: Advanced Construction Robotics
Advanced Construction Robotics Inc. today announced that its rebar-tying robot, which it has provided through a robotics-as-a-service model, is now also available for purchase. The Pittsburgh-based company is taking orders for TyBOT 3.0 for delivery in the first quarter of 2025.
“Our success in the pursuit of automating construction equipment is not just an evolution for ACR; it is a transformative step for the entire construction industry,” stated Stephen Muck, founder and executive chairman of Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR). “Offering TyBOT for sale represents our commitment to creating disruptive solutions that will redefine how the world builds, driving unprecedented efficiency, safety, and innovation across a wider range of construction applications.”
Tying rebar for reinforced concrete structures such as bridges is a tedious and hazardous task, noted ACR. The company won a 2023 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its IronBOT rebar-installing robot, which can work with TyBOT.
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TyBot 3.0 includes user-interface improvements
“We want to continue to advance autonomy where needed in the third version of TyBOT,” said Danielle Proctor, president and CEO of Advanced Construction Robotics. “We’ve made enhancements like proactive diagnostics, a 4.5-in. interface screen, and the ability for users to send information to ACR for 24/7 support.”
The gantry robot is able to work at widths from 67 ft. (20.4 m) starting at $425,000 to 117 ft. (35.6 ft.) at $455,500.
“The sticker price includes comprehensive training by ACR to ensure customers can confidently mobilize, configure, supervise, and maintain TyBOT from Day 1,” said the company.
As part of its robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) plan, ACR’s Service Platform Subscription gives customers access to a live data portal. It is designed to provide insights into their rebar installation operations as well as continued access to ACR’s latest software features.
ACR is also working on global patterning and black wire enhancements.
ACR’s construction system at the NASA Causeway site in Florida. Source: Advanced Construction Robotics
ACR adds iron worker training
“We’ve been in discussions with the international iron workers,” Proctor told The Robot Report. “We have a formalized training program and are taking iron workers from concept to actual customer sites. Our robots allow union and non-union rodbusters to get more work and do it safely.”
ACR’s Bot Qualification program trains workers at customer companies to safely run TyBOT and IronBOT. Level I provides foundational knowledge and hands-on experience, ensuring that Robot Supervisors are proficient in basic functions and maintenance.
Level II focuses on shipping, configurations, and self-management of the equipment. Both levels are tailored to enhance productivity and safety on construction sites, ACR noted.
“In Level II, workers come to our headquarters for two to three days. They do a mock deployment, assembling the system, putting it on a test bridge, and disassembling it,” explained Proctor. “We already have about 10 people going through the training program.”
“We’ve spoken with our customers, and many contractors are putting safety over productivity,” she said. “Iron workers are designating our robots as tools of the trade — a natural progression from hip drills and tie guns — to secure more work.”
TyBOT 3.0 also has optional accessories to further expand its cost-saving capabilities, according to the company. They include multiple modes of travel for non-bridge projects and a carry function add-on to transport materials safely and efficiently to work crews.
IronBOT operates on a bridge in Manatee River, Fla. Source: Advanced Construction Robotics
Robots deployed at sites across the U.S.
“With over 65 field deployments nationwide, TyBOT has proven that it provides customers at least 25% savings in their installation operations and is quickly becoming an accepted tool of the trade by rodbusters,” said Proctor.
ACR recently partnered with Nucor Rebar Fabrication Inc. to widen rebar construction services and deliver units to Tacoma, Wash. Its existing projects include a NASA causeway, plus more in Idaho, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Illinois, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.
“In one big project, we had three TyBOTS working at one time,” noted Proctor. “With RaaS, three people can travel with the robots and run them themselves. We’ve been expanding into new states.”
“We’ve seen a tremendous increase in demand for TyBOT as well as our second product, IronBOT, the Rebar Placing Robot,” she stated. “Our continued planned evolution from product design and adoption through RaaS to offering our BOTs for purchase reflects our confidence in our team’s ability to quickly provide mature products that reliably solve real-world problems.”
“We look forward to customers fully integrating our solutions into their operations, providing enhanced productivity and safety using modern tools for a modern workforce,” Proctor said. “I’ll be speaking at the BuiltWorlds Infrastructure Conference with DT Reed Steel next month.”
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