US-based startup Buildroid AI has raised USD 2 million in a pre-seed funding round, marking a strong step forward for the region’s construction robotics sector. The round was led by investor Tim Draper, known for backing global companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, Skype and Robinhood. The company also unveiled its first block-laying robot, developed through its BIM-to-BUILD simulation framework.
Founded in 2025 by Slava Solonitsyn, Buildroid AI focuses on bridging the gap between Building Information Models and on-ground execution. Its platform connects Digital Twin simulations with contractor workflows, supported by proprietary AI orchestration software. The goal is to turn construction sites into AI-driven environments that combine specialised and general-purpose robots.
Why UAE, Despite US Roots
Although Buildroid is headquartered in the US, the company chose the UAE for its early deployments. According to co-founder and CEO Slava Solonitsyn, the regulatory and compliance environment in the UAE enables much faster movement from simulation to real-site deployment. He explained that while many construction robotics solutions require lengthy safety approvals, especially in the US, the UAE’s framework allowed Buildroid to deploy robotic workflows on actual sites more quickly (with all necessary safety precautions). This agility was a key reason for choosing the UAE as the initial launch ground.
Moreover, rising labour shortages and shrinking pools of skilled overseas workers make the UAE’s booming construction industry an ideal proving ground. Solonitsyn noted this, saying many large contractors already face scaling problems — which Buildroid’s platform aims to solve through AI-driven automation.
What Buildroid does
Buildroid’s platform links Building Information Models (BIM) with AI-powered Digital Twin simulations (built on Nvidia Omniverse), then translates those simulations into real-world robotic workflows using its proprietary orchestration software. The platform is hardware–agnostic and supports both specialised and general-purpose robots.
The first deployment focuses on block-laying and partition-wall construction, a typically labour-intensive, repetitive part of construction. The company claims its system can offer up to 10Ă— productivity gains and around 4Ă— cost savings compared to manual labour.
A New Approach to Construction Robotics
Buildroid AI aims to modernize the labour-intensive partition wall segment. This area requires repetitive and time-consuming manual work, making it ideal for automation. The company’s approach blends robotics, AI and simulation to create systems that can operate with minimal human intervention.
Key elements of Buildroid AI’s model include:
- AI-driven orchestration software that coordinates multiple robots on a job site
- Digital Twin simulations that convert BIM models into precise, actionable tasks
- Seamless integration of robots into contractor workflows
- A platform designed to scale into multiple construction use cases
Slava Solonitsyn, the company’s CEO and co-founder, noted that earlier construction robots struggled because they performed narrow tasks and required extensive human support. He added that rapid advances in AI now enable the deployment of both general-purpose and industrial robots in real project environments.
Funding to Drive Pilots and Deployment
With the new capital, Buildroid AI plans to scale active pilot programs and refine the autonomous capabilities of its robotic crews. The company also intends to accelerate commercial rollouts across the UAE’s USD 42.75 billion construction market.
Its next steps include:
- Expanding field pilots in partnership with contractors
- Advancing simulation models for greater accuracy
- Developing fully autonomous robotic workflows
- Preparing for commercial deployment in the second quarter of next year
The startup expects its first robots to be deployed on-site through agreements with general contractors. Buildroid AI intends to adopt a savings-sharing model, earning a portion of the cost reductions generated through automation.
Block-Laying Robots and Mobile Support Systems
Buildroid AI’s first simulated block-laying robot is already being piloted on job sites in the UAE. The system is supported by Autonomous Mobile Robots that transport concrete blocks directly from material pallets to the block-laying unit. This removes the need for manual handling and sets the foundation for a multi-robot construction workflow.
The company expects this model to extend beyond non-load-bearing walls, moving gradually into interior fit-outs and wider construction processes.