Robotics company Lucid Bots, this week, unveiled a new module that lets its Sherpa drone paint buildings. <\/p>\n
The drone, already known for cleaning exteriors and windows, can now spray paint and coatings, turning it into a full-fledged construction assistant.<\/p>\n
This development marks a major shift in how high-risk, labor-intensive exterior work is done.<\/p>\n
The Sherpa drone can reach up to 160 feet and operate continuously with a power tether. With the new painting module, it can cover more than 200 square feet per minute. <\/p>\n
One operator can manage the drone easily using simple controls, completing jobs up to three times faster and at roughly half the cost of traditional methods.<\/p>\n
\u201cModular robotics is redefining how essential work gets done,\u201d stated Andrew Ashur, founder and CEO of Lucid Bots. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe pace required to restore and expand our infrastructure demands automation that can do, not just sense and observe. Robots are the arms and legs of AI. Done right, they raise productivity, improve safety, and increase human prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Solving labor and safety challenges<\/p>\n
The timing of the new Sherpa module is significant. The US is experiencing one of the largest infrastructure expansions in decades, while the construction industry faces a severe labor shortage. <\/p>\n
More than 40 percent of skilled workers are expected to retire by 2031, leaving gaps in jobs that involve heights, hazards, and repetitive strain.<\/p>\n
The Sherpa drone addresses these challenges. By automating dangerous and repetitive tasks, it reduces the risk to human workers. <\/p>\n
Instead of relying on scaffolding, ladders, or safety harnesses, the drone<\/a> handles exterior painting with precision and consistency. This not only improves safety but also helps contractors meet deadlines faster.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Embodied AI in action<\/p>\n The drone is powered<\/a> by embodied AI\u2014artificial intelligence integrated into a physical system. Unlike AI that only analyzes data, embodied AI allows machines to interact with and manipulate the real world.<\/p>\n In Sherpa\u2019s case, it means adjusting for wind, surface texture, and complex building geometries to apply an even coat of paint.<\/p>\n