DEWALT and August Robotics Launch Autonomous Drilling Robot to Accelerate Data Center Construction

As global demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure drives a surge in data center construction, DEWALT, in collaboration with August Robotics, has unveiled what it describes as the world’s first downward-drilling, fleet-capable robotic system designed to automate concrete drilling on large-scale construction sites.

The autonomous robot is designed to address one of the most labor-intensive stages of data center construction: drilling thousands of precise holes for structural supports and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. According to the companies, the system can drill up to ten times faster than traditional methods and has helped reduce construction timelines by as much as 80 weeks across ten data center projects conducted with a leading hyperscale technology company.

Powered by August Robotics’ autonomous drilling and fleet orchestration platform, the robot has demonstrated 99.97 percent drilling accuracy across more than 90,000 holes during an ongoing pilot program. The system’s ability to operate as part of a coordinated fleet is intended to significantly expand drilling capacity while improving safety and consistency on job sites.

Bill Beck, president of Tools & Outdoor at Stanley Black & Decker, said the pace of data center construction has become a critical bottleneck as hyperscalers race to expand AI computing capacity. “Our customers consistently emphasize that speed of construction is essential,” Beck said. “This robotic solution directly addresses that need through schedule acceleration, cost savings, near-perfect accuracy, and enhanced jobsite safety.”

The companies say the robotic drilling system is expected to be commercially available by mid-2026 and will be demonstrated at the World of Concrete trade show in Las Vegas. Beyond data centers, the technology could signal a broader shift toward automation in construction workflows, where robotics increasingly augments skilled labor rather than replacing it.

As billions of dollars flow into global data center infrastructure, the partnership between DEWALT and August Robotics highlights how construction robotics is moving from experimental pilots to mission-critical systems—reshaping how the world builds the physical backbone of the AI economy.