In this episode of The Common Chord, Carlton sits down with Barrett Ames, Co-Founder and CEO of BotBuilt, to explore how robotics can elevate craftsmanship instead of replacing it. Barrett’s vision is clear: automation should free builders from repetitive work and give them more space to be creative.
Empowering Builders, Not Replacing Them
Barrett describes BotBuilt’s approach as creating “power tools for the next generation.” Their robotic systems don’t remove people from the process - they make carpenters and framers ten times faster by taking over the monotonous, repetitive parts of construction. What’s left is the art of building: precision, creativity, and pride in the finished product.
From PDF to Precision
One of the most fascinating aspects of BotBuilt’s work is how they turn basic PDFs of plans into detailed 3d models that can guide their robots in construction. Every nail type, spacing, and plate detail is modeled to precise specifications. This level of detail not only drives automation but also flags design inconsistencies early, giving architects and builders the chance to correct errors before construction begins.
Collaboration as the Future of Building
We also discussed how integrations between design tools like Paragon and automated systems like BotBuilt can accelerate innovation. Rather than isolated systems, the future of construction will rely on open collaboration and feedback loops that strengthen every stage of the process - from design to framing to fabrication.
