UK’s Automated Architecture Secures £5.1M to Scale Robotic Micro-Factories for Sustainable Construction

Automated Architecture (AUAR), a London-based construction technology startup, has raised £5.1 million to commercialize its robotic “pop-up micro-factory” system, aiming to revolutionize how homes and infrastructure are built across Europe. The investment round was led by Planet A, with participation from Shadow Ventures, Common Magic, Concrete VC, and several prominent angel investors.

AUAR’s technology centers on compact, mobile micro-factories that use robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the production of timber-frame panels for walls, floors, and roofs. These micro-factories can be rented by mid-sized homebuilders, enabling them to locally manufacture the full timber structure of a house in just 12 hours—reducing on-site labor by up to 75% and slashing construction costs by 30-40%. The system’s MasterBuilder software connects AI-driven design directly to robotic production, streamlining the entire process from planning to fabrication.

The new funding will accelerate AUAR’s commercialization efforts, supporting further deployments and pilot projects. The company has already demonstrated its system’s impact with successful projects in Belgium and the US, including the rapid prefabrication of a two-story building in under eight hours. AUAR has also received a £341,000 Innovate UK SMART grant to develop a mid-rise timber housing prototype, targeting commercial launch in early 2026.

AUAR’s approach addresses critical challenges in the construction industry, including labor shortages, rising material costs, and the urgent need for sustainable, affordable housing. By leveraging locally sourced timber and decentralized manufacturing, the company aims to make sustainable building methods accessible at scale, particularly in high-demand markets like the UK and Germany.

Co-founder and CEO Mollie Claypool stated, “By enabling the industry to build together, powered by robotics and AI, we’re not just offering a new tool—we’re unlocking new possibilities for how homebuilders can grow, innovate, and deliver at scale”.

With this latest investment, AUAR is positioned to transform the construction sector, making efficient, automated building methods a practical reality for homebuilders across Europe and beyond.