World’s first AI-powered giant construction robot
RIC Robotics, a global leader in mobile 3D construction robotics, today announced plans to launch Zyrex, the world’s first Giantroid – a 20-foot-tall, AI-powered, general-purpose construction robot, designed to be cognitive and ultimately fully autonomous, capable of executing complex and delicate tasks across commercial and industrial job sites.
A working prototype is expected in early 2026, marking a significant leap forward in the evolution of robotic construction.
Unlike humanoid robots designed to mimic humans, Zyrex is purpose-built for construction – capable of performing heavy-duty tasks such as material handling and delicate trades, including welding, assembling, trimming, carpentry, 3D printing, exterior finishing, and more.
With 26 degrees of freedom, an interchangeable tool module, battery powered with self-changing battery packs, Zyrex is designed to have complete mobility. Leveraging LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and visual sensors and powered by VLA (Vision-Language-Action) AI models, it will be deployed in dynamic job site environments with human monitoring.
Zyrex addresses two urgent industry challenges: the global construction labour shortage and the dangers of high-risk job sites. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the U.S. will need to attract over 439,000 skilled construction workers in 2025 to meet industry demand and avoid further escalation in labour costs. Meanwhile, the construction industry had the most fatal injuries among all industry sectors in 2023 with 1,075 fatalities.
“We’re not just building another robot – we’re engineering the future of construction,” said Ziyou Xu, founder of RIC Robotics. “With Zyrexl, we’re addressing the industry’s labour shortages with powerful robotics capable of performing skilled work at scale,” Ziyou continues, “If Tesla’s Optimus is the Ironman of the Avengers, then Zyrex is the Hulk – only this Hulk is orange and built to construct, not to smash buildings.”
Despite its size and capabilities, Zyrex will be surprisingly affordable. While previous attempts of giant robot builds can cost over $2 million, RIC estimates Zyrex will be priced at under $1 million, with monthly leasing options starting below $20,000.
The goal is well within reach, as RIC’s current 3D construction robot, RIC-PRIMUS, already shares many of Zyrex’s capabilities, including high-speed, automation, and battery powered mobile platform with a large-scale reach up to 32 ft. More importantly, RIC has demonstrated the commercial viability of large-scale construction robots: its earlier model, RIC-M1 Pro, successfully 3D-printed two Walmart warehouse extensions – one in Tennessee and another in Alabama – with 200 more planned nationwide.
Measured at 5,000-square-foot, 16.5-foot-tall, the warehouse in Alabama was completed in 7 days, 3 weeks ahead of schedule, saving 75% time and 80% skilled labour.
Zyrex builds on that proven performance, now expanding beyond 3D printing to become a multi-functional, general-purpose construction labour solution.
