New programme for startups to drive development of embodied AI solutions in the construction sector

Startups will develop, test and commercialise solutions for construction applications with support from Enterprise Singapore, the Building and Construction Authority and The GEAR by Kajima

1.     Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and The GEAR by Kajima^[1], have launched the Startup CoLab EAI to support Singapore-based and international startups to develop, test and commercialise new embodied AI (EAI) solutions in the construction sector. The programme will offer identified industry use cases, construction sandboxes and live project sites, helping promising technologies move beyond trials towards wider industry deployment.

2.     Singapore’s steady construction demand presents significant opportunities to adopt technologies that can improve productivity, safety and manpower. Construction demand is expected to remain strong in the medium term, with BCA projecting annual demand to reach between S$39 billion and S$46 billion from 2027 to 2030. Embodied AI offers a promising pathway to leverage this momentum by combining artificial intelligence with physical systems, enabling machines to navigate real-world environments and handle dynamic tasks like material handling, façade installation and surface-finishing works.

3.     Announced by Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) 2026, Startup CoLab EAI supports startups in the following areas:

a.     Shape and Localise: Identify relevant industry use cases for the startups’ embodied AI solutions and tailor the technologies to Singapore’s market and operational requirements.

b.     Validate: Validate their solutions under simulated and actual conditions at facilities spanning construction sandboxes, live project sites and The GEAR building.

c.     Scale: Help successful startups connect with customers and investors to drive their growth and support broader industry adoption of their technologies.

4.     The programme leverages Kajima’s industry expertise and network of project sites, alongside public‑private sector partnerships to support the customisation and validation of embodied AI solutions within the construction industry through structured lead demand. Startup CoLab EAI also builds on The GEAR’s flagship startup programme, The GEAR Startup CoLab, which helps startups accelerate product and business validation. Since its launch in April 2025, The GEAR Startup CoLab has completed 15 proof-of-concepts with global and local startups.

5.     Emily Liew, Assistant Managing Director, Innovation, EnterpriseSG, said: “Embodied AI has significant potential, but technologies need to be field-tested in real operating environments to move them from prototypes to deployable solutions. Through Startup CoLab EAI, EnterpriseSG will work with BCA and Kajima to bring together startups, industry demand, and real-world testbeds to turn promising embodied AI technologies into deployable solutions for the construction sector. By doing so, we aim to accelerate industry adoption while strengthening Singapore’s position as a global proving ground and launchpad for embodied AI.”

6.     Jonathan Cheng, Chief Technology Officer, BCA, said: “Embodied AI has the potential to transform the built environment to become more productive, efficient and less manpower-intensive. BCA is committed to fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of such technologies. Through our partnership with EnterpriseSG and The GEAR by Kajima via the Startup CoLab EAI, we would like to catalyse more industry-led initiatives and create a conducive environment for the adoption of promising solutions."

7.     Luke Wu, Managing Director, The GEAR by Kajima, said: “The GEAR by Kajima’s unique position allows us to take on three roles in the Startup CoLab EAI programme: programme coordinator, technology collaborator and solution adopter. We connect startups with our ecosystem network and give them access to our living testbed and project sites to develop and validate their technologies. Startups can also work with Kajima Technical Research Institute, Kajima’s R&D arm, to collaborate and refine their solution. At the same time, we are driven to adopt innovative solutions that enhance productivity, safety and sustainability across the built environment sector. This gives startups a clear brief from the people who will use their solutions, a live site to test them on, and a direct path to deployment.”

8.     Applications for the Startup CoLab EAI programme open in early 2027, with startups being accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit www.thegear.sg/colab-programme (opens in new tab).

Download the PDF version of the media release here [PDF, 295.65 KB] (opens in new tab)

____________________________________________________________________

About Enterprise Singapore

Enterprise Singapore is the government agency championing enterprise development.

We partner committed companies to build capabilities, innovate and go global. We drive growth – empowering local businesses and shaping industries; anchoring Singapore as a trade and startup hub; establishing trust in our products through quality and standards.

We’re here, for wherever you’re growing. Visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg (opens in new tab) for more information.

About the Building and Construction Authority

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) champions a safe, sustainable, and liveable built environment for Singapore. As a leader in the sector, BCA is dedicated to driving industry transformation and setting rigorous standards in building safety, quality, and environmental sustainability. By advancing innovation, digitalisation, and the development of a skilled workforce, BCA fosters a dynamic industry that is ready to meet the evolving needs of the nation and build a resilient and progressive built environment for all. For more information, visit www.bca.gov.sg (opens in new tab).

About The GEAR by Kajima

The GEAR by Kajima Pte Ltd, established in 2024, is Kajima’s innovation and technology translation platform in Singapore and a subsidiary of Kajima Corporation, one of Japan’s largest and oldest construction, engineering, and real estate companies, headquartered in Tokyo.

The GEAR by Kajima bridges the gap between technology development and real-world commercial use as the strategic lynchpin between Japan, Singapore, and the group’s global business units. It translates emerging technologies into scalable solutions by connecting internal capabilities with external partners. This work spans both startups and internal Kajima technologies, across Kajima sites and externally commissioned public and private projects. Through this model, technologies are validated under live operating conditions, which support informed decisions on deeper use, adoption, and commercialisation.

^[1] Kajima Corporation is one of the oldest and largest construction, engineering and real estate companies in Japan, with a presence in Singapore since 1962. The GEAR by Kajima is its open innovation and technology translation platform in Singapore that focuses on accelerating the commercialisation of deep-tech solutions for the built environment. It also serves as Kajima’s regional headquarters, overseas R&D facility and global innovation hub.