The Rebar Robot: True or Tale? Hong Kong

On my way to the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, I had a stopover in Hong Kong. A colleague had tipped me off about an article in Tekniikka & Talous (link, article in Finnish) featuring a rebar-tying robot under development there. My interest was piqued, and I began following its progress.

This was a topic close to my heart. I'd been talking about "spider-like" robots that could tie rebar for over a decade, wondering why the technology wasn't yet a reality. A year after that initial article, I arranged a visit for myself and a group from developer Jatke Uusimaa and builders' supplier Beoman to the Hong Kong Center of Construction Robotics (HKCCR) to see if the technology was finally ready.

The visit to the HKCCR was fascinating. The centre is developing a wide range of innovative robotic for the construction industry. However, the actual demonstration of the rebar robot was, unfortunately, a disappointment. The rebar grid in the showroom was already fully tied, which meant the robot couldn't demonstrate its full potential and kept getting jammed.

The developers assured us that the robot is already being used successfully on several construction sites in mainland China. We agreed that the only way to see its true capabilities would be to see it in action on a live site. They've made it easy to arrange, I just need to give them two weeks' notice.

The next Canton Fair is in Spring 2026, and I am already planning a site visit to see this robot working in real-world conditions. Wish me luck!

Inspired to see the future of construction firsthand? If you're interested in joining the next site visit to see the rebar robot in action, get in touch with me tanja@nexpert.fi.