Shimizu Completes Investment in U.S. Robotics Startup Noble Machines Inc.

Shimizu Corporation (President: Tatsuya Shimmura) has completed an investment in Noble Machines Inc. (CEO: Wei Ding), a Silicon Valley startup developing humanoid AI robots for the construction industry, and has launched a full-scale collaboration to advance their development. The collaboration will combine Noble Machines’ hardware and software development capabilities with Shimizu’s construction expertise and knowledge of construction-site operations to develop humanoid AI robots suited to construction sites and capable of supporting or replacing physically demanding and hazardous tasks.

The construction industry faces the prospect of future labor shortages due to factors such as an aging workforce and a decline in the number of young people entering the industry. Meeting future construction demand with a smaller workforce will require not only continued productivity improvements at every stage of the construction process, but also closer integration of people and robots, with robotic technologies supporting or replacing on-site tasks that have traditionally relied on human labor.

Noble Machines, in which Shimizu has invested, is a Silicon Valley startup that develops robotic hardware, including the MOBY series of humanoid AI robots for the construction industry, as well as control systems (operating systems) and application software. Specializing in AI and robotics for construction, the company has strong development capabilities in both hardware designed for demanding environments such as construction sites and general-purpose AI and software that can be applied to a wide range of tasks.

Through its collaboration with Noble Machines, Shimizu intends to accelerate the development of technologies that can support or replace on-site tasks currently performed by workers. Shimizu will enhance the robots’ practicality for construction-site use by incorporating its construction knowledge and expertise into the hardware, control systems, and application software developed by Noble Machines. By combining virtual simulations using Shimizu’s BIM/CIM data with testing at actual construction sites, the companies aim to rapidly develop and refine technologies for construction applications.

By the end of this year, Shimizu plans to begin virtual simulations for construction-site applications of humanoid AI robots, including transporting materials and equipment, navigating sites, and conducting patrols. Beginning next spring, the company will test these tasks with physical robots at actual construction sites.