Construction sites still depend heavily on people performing repetitive, physically demanding tasks. From sanding walls to applying finishing materials, much of the work inside buildings remains manual. Origin, a robotics startup co-founded by Yogesh Ghaturle, Ashish Daga and Tushar Makkar, wants to change that with a robot called OG-1, designed to automate multiple interior construction tasks.
The company emerged from stealth in October 2026 with $20 million in total funding, co-led by Accel and Zacua Ventures. Its goal is to expand robot deployments across the United States and Europe, with a target of 150 robots by the end of 2027.
Meet OG-1: A Robot Built for Interior Work
OG-1 is designed to handle wall-finishing workflows that traditionally require skilled construction workers. It can apply wall compound, sand surfaces and apply primer, helping prepare walls for subsequent finishing stages.
The robot operates on a three-wheeled mobile platform and can work at heights of up to 14 feet. Its sensors provide a 360-degree view of its surroundings, while real-time force control helps it maintain consistent pressure during tasks such as sanding.
Unlike robots designed exclusively for controlled factory environments, OG-1 has been developed for active construction sites, where conditions can change constantly and other workers may be operating nearby.
Origin says its robot can work alongside construction crews without requiring an entirely separate, cordoned-off workspace.
The AI System Behind the Robot
OG-1 is powered by Origin's proprietary Construction Action Model, an AI system developed specifically for construction workflows.
The technology combines three capabilities: reasoning to plan complex tasks, an action policy to determine where and how the robot should work, and a feedback-driven controller that translates decisions into precise movements.
The system is trained using simulations and data gathered from real construction sites. This helps the robot navigate different environments, identify surfaces that need work and adapt its actions to the task.
Origin's broader ambition is to use the same underlying platform to automate additional interior construction activities rather than building a separate machine for every job.
$20 Million to Expand Across Global Markets
Origin's funding round was co-led by Accel and Zacua Ventures, with participation from Unilazer Ventures, Schema Ventures and Z21, alongside angel investors associated with companies including Anduril, Skild AI, 1X and Tesla.
The capital will support manufacturing, fleet expansion and larger customer pilots in the United States and Europe.
The startup is already deploying robots across commercial buildings, multifamily housing, data centres, hotels and warehouses. Further pilots are planned in Germany, Sweden, France and Saudi Arabia.
Origin has also set its sights on expanding OG-1 into tasks such as taping, drywall installation, drilling and conduit installation, using the same core hardware platform.
Why Construction Robotics Matters
Construction has historically been slower to automate than manufacturing because every job site presents different conditions, layouts and practical challenges.
Origin is betting that advances in physical AI can make robots more adaptable to these unpredictable environments. Its approach is designed to help contractors address repetitive work, labour shortages and pressure to complete projects faster.
The company says OG-1 can work at three times human speed while delivering comparable finishing quality. These are company-reported performance claims, and broader results will depend on real-world deployment conditions.
From One Robot to an Automated Construction Industry
Origin's immediate focus is wall finishing, but its longer-term vision is considerably broader: developing general-purpose robots capable of handling more of the work involved in building interiors.
If the company can scale its technology reliably, OG-1 could become an example of how AI is moving beyond screens and software into physical industries.
The big idea is simple: instead of asking construction workers to do every repetitive task by hand, let robots handle the exhausting work while people focus on jobs requiring skill and judgement.
Featured to The Startup Caffe
The Startup Caffe brings you the latest stories shaping India's startup, deep-tech and innovation ecosystem.
Stay connected with us for more insights on founders, robotics, artificial intelligence, construction technology and the companies transforming how the world works.