How Robots and AI Could Help Ease Canada’s Housing Crisis

As Canada faces a mounting housing crisis marked by a severe shortage of homes and skyrocketing prices, innovative technologies like robots and artificial intelligence (AI) are stepping in to revolutionize construction. By automating and streamlining processes, these advancements could cut building times in half and significantly boost productivity in the construction industry.

One of the promising ventures in this field is Edmonton-based Promise Robotics, a company using AI-powered robotic arms to assemble walls, floors, and roofs. These arms, similar to those in automobile factories, can interpret blueprints and autonomously decide on the tasks needed to construct building components. This groundbreaking approach addresses two pressing issues in the construction industry: the need to modernize and the chronic shortage of skilled labor.

The global architecture, engineering, and construction sector, valued at $12 trillion, has been one of the slowest industries to embrace innovation. Canada, in particular, has lagged in adopting digital and robotic solutions. With the federal government targeting constructing 3.87 million new homes by 2031, companies like Promise Robotics aim to bridge the gap by leveraging technology to enhance efficiency. By reducing the time to build a house to about five months, Promise Robotics is making significant strides toward meeting the country’s housing needs.

Promise Robotics uses off-the-shelf robotic arms programmed with AI to perform tasks traditionally done by humans. These systems can adapt to different designs and quickly assemble components, making them a versatile and cost-effective solution. Unlike massive prefabrication factories, Promise Robotics’ system is portable and can be deployed in warehouses near construction sites, reducing logistical challenges and costs. The company’s technology has already piqued the interest of over 20 homebuilders across Canada, exploring ways to integrate robotic solutions into their operations.

Meanwhile, Toronto-based Horizon Legacy is innovating with its robotic arm, Val 2.0, a portable 3D printer that pours specialized concrete for building walls on-site. This system recently completed a 26-unit housing project in Ontario, showcasing its potential to enhance efficiency and reduce labor requirements. Val 2.0, while not fully autonomous, simplifies heavy lifting and offers an entry point for young workers to join the construction industry.

Beyond these applications, researchers at the University of British Columbia are working on converting traditional construction equipment into robotic systems. By equipping cranes and excavators with sensors and AI, they aim to enable autonomous movement and material handling on construction sites. This technology, akin to self-driving cars, could become commonplace in the next decade.

Despite these advancements, experts argue that technology alone cannot solve Canada’s housing crisis. Policy and regulatory reforms remain essential to accelerate housing development. However, integrating robots and AI offers a transformative opportunity to address labor shortages, increase productivity, and modernize an industry vital to the nation’s economic and social well-being.

As Canadian companies like Promise Robotics and Horizon Legacy continue to pioneer these technologies, they will not only reshape domestic construction but also position themselves as leaders in a global market hungry for innovative solutions. These advancements could usher in an era of faster, more efficient homebuilding, offering hope to a country in desperate need of affordable housing.