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Access-equipment automation points to a future where robotics help concrete contractors address labour shortages, improve safety and boost jobsite productivity.
JLG Boom Lifts. Image courtesy of JLG Industries.
JLG Industries is taking a decisive step toward what it calls the “jobsite of the future,” announcing the acquisition of core technology developed by Canvas – a San Francisco–based construction robotics company. Best known globally as a manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, JLG says the move will accelerate its shift from equipment that enables work to equipment that helps execute work through autonomous and connected solutions.
For construction contractors focused on concrete-intensive work that involves challenges including labour shortages, safety pressures and productivity demands, the announcement offers a glimpse of how some traditional access equipment may evolve in the coming years. While the technology is not yet aimed directly at concrete placement or finishing, it highlights a broader push toward automation that could reshape how crews work around formwork, slabs, cores and interior concrete structures.
A long-standing collaboration
The relationship between JLG and Canvas dates back six years, when Canvas selected a JLG platform as the foundation for its early robotic development. Since then, the technology has advanced steadily, automating repetitive tasks and delivering consistent, high-quality results on interior construction sites.
Mahesh Narang, Executive Vice-President of Oshkosh Corporation and President of its Access segment, suggests that by integrating robotic technology that “delivers moments of autonomy,” JLG is “helping crews get more work done in today’s challenging labour environment.” In fact, according to the company, the acquisition significantly expands what customers will be able to accomplish with the equipment they already currently rely on.
Why it matters to concrete contractors
Concrete-intensive projects are among the most labour- and schedule-sensitive in the industry. Access equipment such as lifts and telehandlers are already embedded in daily operations, supporting everything from forming and reshoring to embeds, edge protection and interior fit-out. JLG’s move suggests a future in which that same equipment could take on a more active role, assisting trades by handling repetitive or physically demanding tasks, helping contractors find practical ways to improve productivity and consistency.
From drywall to broader applications
Canvas is best known for developing the world’s first drywall finishing robot, a system that combines robotic precision with skilled trades oversight. By automating fit-and-finish tasks, the technology reduces physical strain on workers while improving consistency.
Under JLG’s ownership, Canvas technology is expected to advance robotic end-effectors and autonomy that can be paired with access equipment across a range of interior applications. And over time, similar approaches could be adapted to concrete-adjacent activities, particularly in large commercial, industrial and institutional projects.
Looking ahead
With the Canvas team joining JLG, the company says it will continue developing autonomous and robotic solutions that help contractors get more done with fewer people. And as labour challenges persist and project complexity continues to grow, the evolution of access equipment into smarter, more autonomous platforms could become a meaningful part of how concrete jobs are delivered in the years ahead.