Smart hoists to be deployed at about half of BTO sites tendered from 2027;
new Enhanced Precast Components Catalogue could save up to 20% in project man-hours

Minister for National Development, Mr Chee Hong Tat, announced plans for HDB to progressively deploy Smart Passenger & Material Hoists at approximately half of its Build-To-Order (BTO) construction sites tendered from 2027, and expand trials of screeding robots to at least four more BTO projects in 2027, at the HDB Awards Ceremony on 25 September 2026. He also announced the launch of the Enhanced Precast Components Catalogue, which will apply to design tenders from December 2026, to drive greater standardisation and strengthen productivity and supply resilience across HDB's building programme.

2 As HDB ramps up its building programme to meet the strong housing demand, it is working with contractors and industry partners to make construction more productive and resilient. The latest measures span both on-site automation and greater standardisation across the building process.

Scaling Up Robotics and Automation

3 HDB plans to progressively deploy Smart Passenger & Material (PM) Hoists at about 50% of BTO sites tendered from 2027, following promising preliminary trials at project sites in Woodlands, Yishun, and Rochor. This phased approach will allow the supporting industry ecosystem, including equipment supply, logistics, and maintenance capabilities, to develop in tandem with the wider deployment of Smart PM Hoists. This will also give contractors and technology providers time to progressively build up their capabilities and integrate Smart PM Hoists into site operations.

4 Unlike conventional hoists, which require a dedicated operator for each hoist, Smart PM Hoists can be called directly by workers to the floor where they are needed. Safety features, such as 2D LiDAR sensors which scan for obstructions and anti-pinch sensors at the doors, enable the hoists to operate without a dedicated operator.

5 As a result, one worker can supervise up to three Smart PM Hoists, compared with one operator for each conventional hoist. At a project with six Smart PM Hoists, for example, two workers would be needed instead of six, translating to a productivity gain of about 200% for hoist operations. The actual productivity gain will vary depending on the number of hoists deployed, as well as project site conditions.

Smart PM Hoist

The Smart PM Hoist features 2D LiDAR sensors (right) that scan for obstructions before moving, and anti-pinch sensors that prevent objects from getting caught in its doors. (Credits: HDB)

6 HDB is also exploring robotics for other labour-intensive processes including floor screeding. While conventional screeding methods require workers to manually set up level pegs, screeding robots eliminate this need and assist workers in levelling and smoothing floors before tiles or vinyl are laid. Following preliminary trials at BTO sites in Bukit Merah and Ghim Moh, HDB will extend the trials to at least four more BTO projects in 2027 to assess the robots under different site conditions and their potential for wider deployment subsequently.

Screeding robot

In conventional methods of screeding (left), level pegs (centre) are manually set out before levelling and smoothing the floor surface for the laying of tiles or vinyl. The screeding robot eliminates the need for manual level pegs and assists workers in levelling and smoothing the floor surface for a more consistent surface finish. (Credits: HDB)

Partnering Industry to Drive Construction Productivity

7 HDB also works with industry partners to develop and test productive construction solutions. Under the Shortened Time for Completion Scheme (STCS), contractors tendering for selected BTO projects commit to completing their projects three months earlier than the stipulated construction period. As part of their tender, contractors propose construction methods and technologies that help improve productivity and support the shorter construction timeline. Planning for these solutions from the tender stage enables them to be implemented and tested once construction begins.

8 One such solution is the Inloader for Precast Component Handling, which streamlines the transportation and delivery of precast components from the fabrication yard to the construction site. Instead of relying on cranes for loading and unloading, the Inloader uses a hydraulic jack system, reducing crane operations and the supporting manpower required.

9 Technology is also being applied at earlier stages of construction. Supported by the Public Sector Science & Technology Policy & Plans Office, HDB is piloting a 3D Machine Control (3DMC) Excavator for earthworks at a site in Tengah. Instead of relying on physical survey stakes and manual checks, the system uses satellite positioning and digital terrain models to guide excavation more precisely according to the approved earthworks design, reducing the manpower required to support excavation works. The pilot commenced in mid-September 2026 and will conclude in the first half of 2027. HDB will assess its performance and potential for wider deployment subsequently.

3D Machine Control (3DMC) Excavator

The Inloader for Precast Component Handling (left, credits: HDB) utilises hydraulics for loading and unloading of precast components without the need for conventional crane lifting operations. The 3D Machine Control (3DMC) Excavator (right, credits: Trimble) uses satellite positioning and digital terrain models to carry out excavation works more precisely.

Unlocking Greater Productivity through Precast Standardisation

10 Beyond on-site technology and automation, greater standardisation can unlock productivity gains across the wider building process. HDB has adopted prefabrication since the 1980s to manufacture building components off-site and today, up to 70% of the concrete volume in a typical HDB project is made up of precast components. Over the years, HDB has also standardised the dimensions of components such as floor slabs, refuse chutes, and water tanks, so that these components can be used across multiple projects.

11 Building on this foundation, HDB will launch the Enhanced Precast Components Catalogue (EPCC), a library of detailed specifications and drawings showing how precast components are to be fabricated, which will be available for download from HDB’s BGBiz system from 28 September 2026. The EPCC could help industry partners save up to 20% in project man-hours across the planning, design, and construction stages of a project.

12 In addition to the component dimensions covered in HDB's current catalogue, the EPCC sets out specifications such as concrete grades, reinforcement provisions, and connection details. Developed based on HDB's experience in precast construction and in consultation with industry stakeholders, the EPCC provides greater consistency while retaining sufficient flexibility for consultants to create distinctive BTO projects.

13 The EPCC groups precast components according to how far they can be standardised. Components that typically do not require project-specific changes, such as staircases and household shelters, will use common specifications across all HDB projects. 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. The EPCC allows specified variations, including dimensional changes in fixed increments for other components, such as facades, prefabricated bathroom units, columns, and beams, that require varying degrees of design flexibility. More details are at Annex A.

Precast components

Precast staircases (left) and household shelters (right) will be standardised across all HDB projects. (Credits: HDB)

14 Greater standardisation will bring benefits across the construction value chain:

Consultants can draw on established specifications and drawings for standardised components instead of developing them from scratch for every BTO project. This speeds up design work and frees up time for elements that require greater customisation, such as facades, block form and layout, and landscaping, or are technically complex such as sky bridges.

By working repeatedly with common components, workers can build up their expertise, making it easier for contractors to deploy manpower more flexibly across BTO projects. Contractors can also procure standardised components from a wider range of suppliers, strengthening supply resilience as components from alternative sources can fit seamlessly into their projects.

For precast suppliers, more consistent component designs reduce manufacturing variability and allow production moulds to be reused across projects. This improves economies of scale and gives suppliers greater confidence to invest in automation and mechanisation, reducing reliance on manual labour, and reducing the risk of human error while improving quality and productivity.

15 In developing the EPCC, HDB consulted industry partners to ensure that it is practical and easy to adopt. For example, precast suppliers highlighted the value of standardising rebar positions, which reduces the need to redesign them for each project and can shorten the time needed for design approvals by authorities.

Supporting the Timely Delivery of Quality Homes

16 Taken together, the adoption of these robotics and automation solutions, as well as the implementation of greater standardisation enable HDB to build more productively and strengthen the resilience and capabilities of the construction industry. We will continue to work with industry partners to refine and scale up promising solutions, supporting the timely delivery of quality homes to meet the housing demand from Singaporeans.

HDB Scales Up Automation and Standardisation to Boost Construction Productivity