San Francisco-based construction robotics startup Canvas is helping contractors build in bold new ways by putting better tools in the hands of skilled workers. With Canvas’s new worker-controlled robotic machine, contractors are able to make drywall finishing safer and more attractive to a shrinking pool of skilled labor (89% of contractors report they cannot find enough skilled labor), while realizing unmatched metrics for schedule, cost, quality and safety.

The Canvas System automates two of the toughest parts of the drywall finishing process: mudding and sanding. After completing training, Canvas Certified Finishers can complete a project in less time, while producing predictably high-quality finishes. More importantly, the machine minimizes and sometimes even eliminates the harsh working conditions that deter new workers from pursuing the trade and can cause others to leave the industry early.

The Canvas System:
Minimizes repetitive motion injuries (common in 1 of 4 drywall workers) by taking on the heavy lifting of machine sanding; Greatly reduces the opportunity for falls (most prevalent injury on construction sites) by enabling workers to tackle riskier elevated work from ground level; Improves worker air quality by capturing 99.9% of the dust produced in the sanding phase; and Eliminates the mess and the labor-intensive clean-up of traditional drywall finishing