AI CONNECT

Our digital network.

This is where the construction industry, technology and research meet to shape the future together.

AI TALK

Interviews and online round tables in coffee break format.

Round Tables

In a relaxed atmosphere, start-ups, companies and research institutions discuss current topics related to

AI, robotics and digitalization in construction.



"Bots and Concrete" Part 1

 

  • Painter, bricklayer, machine. “Can machines do it better?” – Practical test of robotics on construction sites. Participating strart-ups, companies and universities:
  • Dr. Lena-Marie Pätzmann/ Sitegeist (concrete cleaning robot)
  • Magdalena Kailbauer/ Baubot (drilling robotics)
  • Ing. Gunnar Godawa/ Hochtief
  • Dr. Manuel Bös/ Liebherr
  • Prof. Dr. Ing. Frank Will/ TU Dresden Chair of Construction Machinery Dr. Christian Richter/ TU Dresden Chair of Construction Machinery
  • Georg Nischalke-Fehn/ IFA Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Bots and Concrete Part 2

  • Bots and Concrete” – Painter, Bricklayer, Machine. “Do machines make it better?” – Part 2: Humans and Robots – Occupational Safety Participating companies and universities:
  • Dr. Lena-Marie Pätzmann/ Sitegeist (concrete cleaning robot)
  • Magdalena Kailbauer/ Baubot (drilling robotics)
  • Ing. Gunnar Godawa/ Hochtief
  • Dr. Manuel Bös/ Liebherr
  • Prof. Dr. Ing. Frank Will/ TU Dresden Chair of Construction Machinery Dr. Christian Richter/ TU Dresden Chair of Construction Machinery
  • Georg Nischalke-Fehn/ IFA Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  • Building with bits

  • "Building with Bits" – When construction projects think for themselves. "Construction Management with Brains" – Intelligent construction management through AI. Guests:
  • Project developer P B GmbH & Co. KG
  • BAU.AI (AI-optimized construction management)
  • Pelicad (rendering with AI)
  • Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kraus (ZM-I KI GmbH)

  • Current: Round Table "Bots and Concrete" Part 1

    AI News

    Topics related to AI and the construction industry.

    News: NVIDIA Thor T5000: New chip for autonomous construction robots

    • NVIDIA has introduced the Thor T5000, a new AI chip that makes robots in the construction industry less dependent on cloud services for the first time.
    • The chip enables on-device AI: Robots can perform complex tasks such as real-time data fusion and autonomous navigation directly on-site, e.g., tunnel construction or high-rise construction sites without stable internet.
    • Construction companies can run multiple AI models in parallel (safety monitoring, material logistics), taking human-machine collaboration to a new level.


    NEWS

    August 28, 2025
    Zukunft auf der Baustelle: In Görlitz startet das „Construction Future Lab“
    August 1, 2025
    Aktuelle KI-Trends in der Baubranche- Weltweit
    January 17, 2025
    Roboter erobern die Baustelle: Die neuen Bau-Start-ups im Überblick

    AI SPOTLIGHT

    With AI Spotlight, we put the most innovative startups in the construction, AI, and robotics industries in the spotlight.

    Start-ups in focus

    • We present start-ups' ideas, technologies, and visions in short portraits, presentations, and interviews – from smart construction management and digital planning to robotics on the construction site.
    To the start-ups

    Start-ups in focus

    We introduce three start-ups.


    Pelicad - Rendering with KI

    Pelicad is a German AI startup that is fundamentally revolutionizing architectural visualization with automated cloud software. The team, led by Robin Roemer, Sebastian Witt, and Yannic Nicolas Schwarz, specializes in the fast, high-quality, AI-supported rendering process of 3D CAD models. What does Pelicad do? The platform transforms CAD and BIM data into realistic architectural renderings in minutes. Users upload their 3D model (e.g., an .ifc file), specify materials, location, and atmosphere, and can automate the visual design using prompts or reference images. Pelicad's AI automates the entire visualization workflow, adhering precisely to the specified geometries and allowing creative freedom with regard to lighting, environment, and style. The solution is aimed at architectural firms and project developers who want to generate high-quality 3D representations efficiently, flexibly, and without special rendering skills. Innovation & Benefits Pelicad uses AI directly on real 3D data, instead of working purely with 2D images like many competitors – this creates particularly precise and credible visualizations. The software runs as a cloud service, is easy to use, and automates previously expensive, labor-intensive processes in architecture. The platform offers various licensing models, is scalable, and enables companies to create visualizations faster and communicate more effectively with clients. Market Position The startup sees itself as an "inspiration engine" for architectural firms, but pursues a clear vision with international expansion goals: to make visualizations as easy and flexible as sketching. Pelicad is positioning itself as a technological pioneer and is benefiting from the emerging demand for AI-based workflows in the construction sector. We believe that Pelicad makes architectural rendering scalable, fast, and creatively controllable with AI, offering architectural firms a true digital efficiency boost through automated image generation from 3D data.

    CONSTRUCTION AI- Planning Agents

    BAU AI is developing an innovative, AI-powered "all-in-one" platform specifically for the construction industry. The goal is to digitally support and optimize all phases of construction projects – from planning and task management, scheduling and procurement to document management and project monitoring. It offers an intelligent AI agent that automates task management, optimally plans resources (personnel, equipment, materials), simplifies procurement and scheduling, analyzes and organizes documents, creates intelligent reports, detects delays and bottlenecks early on, and enables real-time communication with partners and suppliers. The solution is particularly aimed at small and medium-sized construction or trades companies and is designed as a cloud-based platform. Its innovation and advantage: Automation of entire workflows: AI agents replace many manual, error-prone routines in the daily business of construction management, scheduling, and administration. Real-time early problem detection: The AI agent detects bottlenecks, delays, and cost risks, and immediately proposes countermeasures or alternative solutions. Centralized platform instead of isolated solutions: All project participants work in a single environment, eliminating data silos and increasing collaboration efficiency. Time and cost savings: The high degree of automation enables projects to be completed faster, more cost-effectively, and with less stress. Low barrier to entry: The application is ready to use immediately, affordable—and even free to use during the beta test. Market position: Young startup, big ambitions: BAU AI was founded in 2025 with a small, specialized team and relies on rapid, practical product development. Focus on SMEs: Unlike many other construction software systems, BAU AI explicitly focuses on SMEs with the lowest possible costs and implementation effort. Beta and pilot phases: BAU AI specifically seeks pilot customers to test the system and contribute feedback to its further development. Market differentiation: While many AI startups in the construction industry focus on planning automation, BIM, or sensor technology, BAU AI focuses on digital construction site management for daily operations. We believe that BAU AI is one of the most promising construction tech startups of 2025. Its comprehensive platform and AI agent approach stands out because it specifically digitizes small and medium-sized construction companies – in all project phases, not just planning. BAU AI's innovation lies particularly in its combination of automation, rapid process optimization, and simple, cost-effective implementation. The key advantage: Not an isolated solution, but a complete workflow system that thinks ahead, proactively identifies risks, and thus saves time, stress, and money. Especially for companies with little digitalization to date, BAU AI is an entry-level option with real efficiency gains and a competitive advantage.

    Sitegeist Robotics

    Sitegeist Robotics is a German high-tech startup specializing in the automation of construction sites using modular construction robots. The vision: to revolutionize productivity, increase work quality, and sustainably improve safety on construction sites. Sitegeist's mission is to enable companies to increase their productivity tenfold, achieve consistent, high-quality results, and significantly optimize employee safety. Innovations & Applications: Ease of Use & Modularity: Sitegeist's construction robots are deliberately designed to be user-friendly and ready for use on construction sites. Their modular design makes them flexibly adaptable to a wide variety of tasks in the construction process. Main Applications: High-pressure water remediation: Complex remediation work is completed significantly more efficiently; hazards and strain on workers are reduced, as no breaks or hazardous work by humans are required. Sandblasting: Thanks to automation, Sitegeist delivers consistent, high-quality results, reaches even hard-to-reach areas (e.g., corners, columns, ceilings), and can effortlessly treat large areas. Drilling: Automated drilling enables perfect hole placement and consistent depths – in any material, regardless of complexity or size. Customized solution: The platform is adaptable: Customers can describe their requirements and receive specifically tailored automation solutions. The Sitegeist team actively supports implementation and customization. Benefits: Massive productivity gains: Faster, more efficient, and more reliable than conventional working methods – robots are available around the clock. High work quality: Results are consistently high; automation reduces the error rate. Workplace safety: Reduction of hazardous situations, physical strain, and the risk of accidents on the construction site. Flexibility: A robot can be quickly converted to various applications through modular extensions – cost-effective for companies with changing projects. Market position: Innovator of automation in construction: Sitegeist addresses a highly relevant market trend: the increasing demand for automation and digitalization on construction sites, not least due to the shortage of skilled workers, pressure for efficiency, and growing safety requirements. B2B focus: The target group is primarily medium-sized and large construction companies that want to optimize processes. Long-term vision: Sitegeist aims to become the leading provider of modular-based construction robotics solutions and relies on close collaboration with construction companies to develop customized systems. Summary & Evaluation (we think) Sitegeist Robotics is one of the most ambitious companies actively working to make digital transformation and automation a reality on construction sites. What particularly impresses us is their practical relevance: The robots are not just a technical innovation, but are directly tailored to real-world challenges (e.g., renovation work, sandblasting, drilling). The combination of high flexibility, ease of use, and adaptability makes Sitegeist a promising partner for all companies looking to take their productivity and safety to a new level. With this approach, Sitegeist Robotics has the best chance of playing a key role in shaping the future of construction and sustainably strengthening the industry's competitiveness.