Automated Roofing Robot Makes Debut

Renovate Robotics, a company designing roofing automation solutions, has unveiled the first look at its roofing robot, Rufus.

In a video uploaded to X, formerly Twitter, the company showcased a prototype of the robot installing panels on a roof in a controlled warehouse environment. 

“Rufus is designed to double productivity for roofing contractors and improve worker safety,” said Dylan Crow, Renovate’s chief operating officer.

“Rufus will install its first real roof this spring – solar is next.”

Rufus can install traditional asphalt shingles three times faster than a human roofer, helping contractors improve efficiencies and cost savings, as well as worker safety.

“There are over 80 million single-family homes in the United States, all of which need their roofs replaced every 20 years,” said Andrew Stulc, Renovate’s CEO. “We also build over 1 million new homes each year, making the demand for roofing greater than ever, 

“It's an industry where automation and robotics will make a huge impact.” 

A full video was also released on YouTube.

“Roofing had the second highest fatality rate of all occupations in the United States in 2022 (according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics),” the caption said. “Roofing contractors consistently struggle to recruit skilled labor. By doubling productivity, Renovate is empowering contractors to increase revenue without scaling beyond their existing roofing crews.”

Related:Industrial Painting Robots Startup Raises $10M

Renovate raised $2.5 million in a pre-seed round last March, led by Alley Robotics Ventures and featuring SOSV’s HAX, Newlab, Uphonest Capital and Climate Capital.

The company said it will initially go to market as a subcontractor, with plans to ultimately lease their machines to roofing contractors.