# Robots to Reclaim Lumber: Bringing Circularity to the Construction Industry with Andrew Gillies from Urban Machine

- Show: [Hardware to Save a Planet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet)
- Published: 2023-09-28
- Length: 44m
- Episode: 36
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-09-28-robots-to-reclaim-lumber-bringing-circularity-to-the-construction-industry-with
- Listen: https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v8wr6xpn-andrew-gillies-robots-to-reclaim-lumber

## Summary

Andrew Gillies, Co-Founder and CTO of Urban Machine, explains how his company uses robotics to reclaim wood waste from construction and demolition sites, converting it into premium lumber. He details the engineering challenges of handling fastener-covered timber, including the design of a perception stack, specialized end-effectors, and a 'starfish' roller conveyance system. Gillies also discusses the company's mobile operating model, the economic drivers of construction waste, and the massive market opportunity for circular lumber.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-09-28-robots-to-reclaim-lumber-bringing-circularity-to-the-construction-industry-with#t=3) Introduction: Andrew Gillies and Urban Machine
- [2:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-09-28-robots-to-reclaim-lumber-bringing-circularity-to-the-construction-industry-with#t=124) Gillies' Background: Gecko Adhesion and Dash Robotics
- [10:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-09-28-robots-to-reclaim-lumber-bringing-circularity-to-the-construction-industry-with#t=612) The Construction Waste Problem and Market Opportunity
- [26:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-09-28-robots-to-reclaim-lumber-bringing-circularity-to-the-construction-industry-with#t=1562) Engineering Challenges: Conveyance and Fastener Removal
- [36:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-09-28-robots-to-reclaim-lumber-bringing-circularity-to-the-construction-industry-with#t=2186) Rapid Prototyping and Scaling Strategy
- [40:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-09-28-robots-to-reclaim-lumber-bringing-circularity-to-the-construction-industry-with#t=2421) Climate Optimism and Advice for Climate Tech

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Urban Machine (company)
- Dash Robotics (company)
- Redapplied Sciences (company)
- Swinnerton Builders (company)
- Gradient (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Project Drawdown (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [When robots recycle with Matanya Horowitz of AMP Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-07-06-when-robots-recycle-with-matanya-horowitz-of-amp-robotics) (How I Built This)
- [Episode 150: House building robots - Vikas Enti](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-03-27-episode-150-house-building-robots-vikas-enti) (Robot Talk)
- [Inside Glacier's Mission to Modernize Recycling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-26-inside-glaciers-mission-to-modernize-recycling) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode 100: Robots in space - Mini Rai](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-29-episode-100-robots-in-space-mini-rai) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode Thirty-Two: Mollie Claypool](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-13-episode-thirty-two-mollie-claypool) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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