New Haulotte partnership to build robotic arm for MEWPs

Haulotte has partnered with deeptech startup Builder Assist specialising in construction robotics.

Haulotte has partnered with Builder Assist to create the Surface Assist robotic arm. (Image: Haulotte).

Together, the two partners are developing the integration of Surface Assist, a robotic arm designed to perform complex applications in the construction sector, on aerial platforms.

With Surface Assist, Haulotte and Builder Assist aim to address key challenges in the construction industry, including shortage of skilled labour, exposure to risks, task repetitiveness and access constraints.

Integrated onto several Haulotte MEWP models, the robotic arm is currently being tested in real jobsite conditions, where constraints related to repetitiveness, physical strain and accessibility are particularly high—especially for overhead drilling operations and facade treatment applications like painting and coating.

The Surface Assist aboard one of Haulotte’s test boom lifts. (Image: Haulotte).

This exploration phase of the project is using a pilot fleet with the objective of assessing market interest and the operational value of robotic solutions integrated onto access equipment.

“A construction robot only makes sense if it operates where work is most demanding and exposed. We are delighted to collaborate with Haulotte to combine working-at-height expertise with robotics innovation, serving real construction use cases,“ said Alban Brisy, co-founder and CEO, Builder Assist.

Wider innovation scheme  

Haulotte said the partnership aligns with its innovation strategy, which aims to expand the role of MEWPs beyond access, by exploring new use cases driven by robotics, automation and digital technologies.

It follows an initial collaboration with AMBPR (Autonomous Mobile Blast Paint) for cleaning, blasting and painting applications in shipyards.

The Surface Assist in ceiling application. (Image: Haulotte).

“The collaboration between AMBPR and Haulotte since 2020 has led to the development of a unique robotic solution dedicated to cleaning, blasting and painting large vertical surfaces in the naval and industrial sectors,” said Stéphane Renouard, founder of AMBPR.

“Thanks to the strong cooperation between AMBPR and Haulotte teams, as well as the reliability of Haulotte equipment, this solution enhances operator safety and reduces the environmental impact of operations carried out in particularly demanding environments,” added Philippe Luminet, innovation director at Haulotte. 

“Embedded robotics opens up new perspectives for working at height applications. With Builder Assist, we are exploring solutions that can deliver tangible value on jobsites, by combining access expertise, automation and a deep understanding of field operations.”