# Episode 167: Automating construction - Jan Petrš

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2026-10-23
- Length: 26m
- Episode: 167
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-23-episode-167-automating-construction-jan-petrs
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-167-automating-construction-jan-petr

## Summary

Jan Petrš, co-founder of Déploya Robotics and a roboticist at EPFL, discusses novel robotic systems for the construction industry, specifically focusing on automated façade installation. He explains how his company is developing self-deploying, origami-inspired scaffolding that supports mobile robots equipped with specialized end-effectors for drilling and panel placement. Petrš also reflects on his academic background in tensegrity robotics and reconfigurable structures, highlighting the shift from theoretical concepts like shareable actuators to practical, scalable hardware solutions for automating labor-intensive construction tasks.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-23-episode-167-automating-construction-jan-petrs#t=6) Introduction: Jan Petrš and Déploya Robotics
- [3:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-23-episode-167-automating-construction-jan-petrs#t=195) Automating scaffolding and façade installation
- [8:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-23-episode-167-automating-construction-jan-petrs#t=528) From architecture to robotics: PhD and EPFL research
- [11:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-23-episode-167-automating-construction-jan-petrs#t=705) Tensegrity robotics and disaster response applications
- [17:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-23-episode-167-automating-construction-jan-petrs#t=1066) Reconfigurable buildings and shareable actuators
- [23:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-10-23-episode-167-automating-construction-jan-petrs#t=1426) The future of robotics in construction

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Déploya Robotics (company)
- EPFL (company)
- Gravice Robotics (company)
- ARIA (company)
- Tensegrity (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Fox Robotics trailer unloading and Canvas wall finishing robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-05-16-fox-robotics-trailer-unloading-and-canvas-wall-finishing-robots) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Advancing the World of Construction Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-07-26-advancing-the-world-of-construction-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Why Solar Deployment Speed Is the Real Climate Bottleneck with Deise Yumi Asami](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-04-02-why-solar-deployment-speed-is-the-real-climate-bottleneck-with-deise-yumi-asami) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [What's next for Waymo's robotaxis, Dusty Robotics' Tessa Lau, robotic prosthetics with Coapt](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-10-15-whats-next-for-waymos-robotaxis-dusty-robotics-tessa-lau-robotic-prosthetics-wit) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [One brick at a time: How Monumental uses robotics to build walls](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-09-11-one-brick-at-a-time-how-monumental-uses-robotics-to-build-walls) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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