HDB to deploy smart hoists at half of new BTO sites from 2027, scale up screeding robots
HDB will roll out smart hoists and screeding robots at more BTO sites to boost construction productivity, with smart hoists targeted for about 50 per cent of new sites tendered from 2027. The agency also launched an enhanced precast components catalogue that could cut project manhours by up to 20 pe
SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will deploy smart hoists at about 50 per cent of all new Build-to-Order (BTO) sites tendered from 2027, and scale up the use of screeding robots at more sites, as part of efforts to raise construction productivity and reduce manpower needs.
Speaking at the HDB Awards Dinner on Friday (Sep 25), Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said the government must keep improving the way it builds flats by making better use of technology and manpower, raising productivity levels, and shortening construction timelines where possible. “This is why our partnership with the industry is critical. We want to continue to work closely with all of you to find better ways to build, so that together, we can build more and build faster, while maintaining high standards of safety and quality,” he told attendees from the built environment sector.
Mr Chee said what matters is not how sophisticated the technology is, but whether it can help to solve practical problems at worksites. He gave the example of the Smart Passenger and Material Hoist, which HDB has been trialling at project sites in Woodlands, Yishun and Rochor. Unlike conventional hoists, which require a dedicated operator for each hoist, smart hoists can be called directly by workers to the floor where they are needed. One worker can supervise up to three smart hoists using live CCTV footage viewed remotely, compared with one operator for each conventional hoist. At a project with six smart hoists, two workers would be needed instead of six, translating to a productivity gain of about 200 per cent for hoist operations, HDB said.
On floor screeding, HDB said the time taken for a robot to screed a four-room flat is about a day, although actual productivity gains will depend on factors such as the unit layout and the worker’s experience. The agency has conducted preliminary trials at sites in Bukit Merah and Ghim Moh, and will extend trials to at least four more BTO projects in 2027. HDB added that while the initial costs of adopting robotics and automation are expected to be slightly higher, costs are expected to go down with wider adoption and economies of scale, and that higher construction costs do not translate directly into higher flat prices for home buyers.
Mr Chee also announced the launch of HDB’s Enhanced Precast Components Catalogue (EPCC), which will be made available to industry partners from Sep 28 and implemented in projects tendered from December 2026. The catalogue is a library of detailed specifications and drawings for how to fabricate 17 types of precast components – including precast bathroom units, household shelters and staircases – that are commonly used in BTO projects. Standardised precast components can translate into productivity gains that could see projects completed several months ahead of schedule, he said.
The enhanced catalogue will standardise key specifications such as concrete grades, reinforcement provisions and connection details, making it easier to use the same components across multiple HDB projects. The government expects the enhanced catalogue to reduce project manhours by up to 20 per cent and provide more sourcing options. For the first time, this creates “off-the-shelf” standardised precast components, giving precast suppliers the option of building up a stock of these components to support future supply tenders.
Mr Chee reassured that greater standardisation does not mean everything will look the same. “We can standardise components to improve productivity, while continuing to give HDB projects, each one, its own identity and character, based on the surroundings and the community,” he said. He added that HDB is working closely with industry partners through schemes such as the shortened time for completion scheme, where contractors can propose innovative construction methods and factor additional costs into their bids. HDB has also removed the document fee of S$250 (US$195) for building project tenders and set up RetailerLink, a one-stop platform for businesses to access HDB’s e-Services.
