JLG Acquires Construction Robotics Technology Company
JLG Industries Inc. has acquired core technology developed by Canvas, a San Francisco-based construction robotics technology company known for pioneering robotic solutions for interior construction applications. Through this strategic investment in intelligent automation for the job site of the future, the acquisition will advance JLG’s strategy to support customer needs beyond enabling jobs to actively executing them with autonomous, connected equipment.
The relationship between the companies began six years ago when Canvas selected a JLG platform to develop its robot, and, since then, the technology has advanced to automate repetitive tasks and enable consistent, high-quality results, helping to shape safe, efficient and productive job sites.
“By integrating robotic technology that delivers moments of autonomy, we’re helping crews get more work done in today’s challenging labor environment,” said Mahesh Narang, executive vice president, Oshkosh Corp., and president of the Access segment. “This investment expands what customers will be able to accomplish with JLG equipment.”
“Robotics and automation will play an increasingly important role in the future of construction, especially as the industry looks for practical ways to deliver greater efficiencies, improve productivity and enhance consistency on job sites,” added Shashank Bhatia, access chief technology officer. “This acquisition strengthens our technology roadmap and accelerates our ability to deliver solutions that create real, measurable value for customers in the field.”
Canvas is best known for developing the world’s first drywall finishing robot, which combines robotic precision with the skills and expertise of trained tradespeople. The system streamlines interior finishing workflows by automating fit-and-finish tasks, reducing rework and delivering consistent quality while minimizing physical demands on workers.
Through the acquisition, Canvas technology will advance robotic end-effector capabilities and autonomy, enabling pairing with JLG access equipment to support a range of interior construction applications. These solutions are designed to assist skilled workers by handling repetitive, physically demanding tasks and allowing crews to focus on higher-value work.
Bhatia added that the Canvas team members “bring a strong combination of technical depth, creativity and a clear understanding of job site challenges. We see tremendous opportunity to apply their expertise to the next generation of purpose-built solutions.”
For more information on JLG products and services, visit JLG.com.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.