A fleet-capable robot drills concrete up to 10x faster, cutting data center construction timelines by as much as 80 weeks.
U.S.-based power equipment-maker DEWALT has partnered with August Robotics to launch what it calls the world’s first fleet-capable robot designed for downward concrete drilling, a move aimed squarely at speeding up data center construction as global demand for AI infrastructure surges.
The robotic system, unveiled by the Stanley Black & Decker-owned brand, automates one of the most labor-intensive stages of data center builds: drilling thousands of precision holes used to anchor server racks and support overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.According to release issued by DEWALT, the robot is already being piloted with one of the world’s largest hyperscalers and has completed work across 10 data center construction phases.The company says the system can drill up to 10 times faster than traditional methods while cutting overall construction timelines by as much as 80 weeks.The robot operates autonomously and is designed to work in fleets, allowing multiple units to drill simultaneously across large construction sites. DEWALT says the approach not only boosts speed but also reduces cost per hole and improves jobsite safety by limiting manual drilling work.Built for hyperscalers“Across the globe, hyperscalers, which account for nearly 80 percent of overall data center demand2 are investing in infrastructure to power AI computing, with an estimated industry-wide capital expenditure of $7 trillion in data centers by 2030,” said Bill Beck, President, Tools & Outdoor, Stanley Black & Decker. “Our customers consistently emphasize that speed of construction is critical. The robotic drilling solution meets this need head-on through schedule acceleration, cost savings, near-perfect accuracy and enhanced jobsite safety. “DEWALT’s relentless pursuit of innovation to drive productivity is redefining how the world builds.”During the pilot program, the robotic drilling system delivered 99.97 percent accuracy in hole location and depth across more than 90,000 drilled holes, according to the company. DEWALT says the accuracy level reduces costly rework and delays that often plague large-scale construction projects.The robot targets a critical bottleneck in data center construction. Each facility requires thousands of precisely drilled holes to support dense server infrastructure and overhead systems, making drilling speed and consistency essential to keeping projects on schedule.Fleet-based drilling automationDEWALT says the robot strengthens its broader data center ecosystem, which already includes its perform and protect tools designed to reduce vibration and dust exposure, along with ICC anchoring solutions used in heavy-duty construction.August Robotics, founded in 2017, focuses on automating repetitive and hazardous construction tasks using mobile robotics. The partnership brings DEWALT’s jobsite expertise together with August Robotics’ autonomous navigation and drilling technology.The robotic drilling system is expected to become commercially available in mid-2026. DEWALT plans to demonstrate the technology at the World of Concrete trade show in Las Vegas from January 20 to 22.As hyperscalers race to build infrastructure fast enough to support AI workloads, DEWALT is betting that automation at the construction level could become just as important as innovation inside the data center itself.
August Robotics Autonomous Drilling Construction Robots Data Center Construction DEWALT Robotics Hyperscalers Jobsite Automation
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