Singapore accelerates innovation and technology adoption to drive productivity in the Built environment sector

At the closing ceremony of the 2^nd Construction Technology (ConTech) Summit 2026, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development, Mr Alvin Tan, unveiled new initiatives to fast-track the development and deployment of innovation and technology to drive a more productive Built Environment (BE) sector.

Exploring another run of Built Environment Accelerate to Market programme

2         The Built Environment Accelerate to Market Programme (BEAMP) Is a multi-agency initiative by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), JTC Corporation (JTC), and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG). The programme supports innovators from solution co-creation and pilot testing to market trials and market commercialisation. 

3         Established in 2019, the BEAMP has introduced more than 100 challenge statements that have catalysed corporate-startup collaboration between about 80 BE firms and innovators. An example would be the collaboration between Fabrica AI and Woh Hup to co-develop a robot that automates floor tile grouting, a traditionally labour-intensive task. Through this partnership, Fabrica AI developed Version 5 of its robot with up to two times productivity gains and greater reliability and user-friendliness when compared to its Version 4. On the other hand, Woh Hup, an investor of Fabrica AI, had a first look at the technology which helped them to stay ahead in an operating environment with tighter labour supply.  The technology has already been deployed in projects such as One Holland Village.

4         Building on the momentum of the past six cycles, the Government will explore another run of this programme to support innovators – from solution co-creation and pilot testing to market trials and commercial deployment.

Robot Leasing Support Scheme to lower adoption barriers of Built Environment Robotics and Automation

5         As part of efforts to improve construction productivity, BCA has been supporting the adoption of proven BE Robotics & Automation (R&A) solutions through measures such as the Built Environment Technology and Capability (BETC) grant and the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

6         In response to the growing demand for leasing R&A solutions, BCA will be launching the Robot Leasing Support Scheme (RLSS) to co-fund solution providers to lease proven R&A solutions to BE firms. These include concrete-levelling and tile-grouting robots.   

7         Funded through the BETC, this initiative will provide up to 50% co-funding for each robot, thereby defraying the costs of scaling up leasing solutions and allowing more BE firms to benefit from R&A solutions, and yield greater time, cost and manpower savings (more details in Annex A).                                      

New Whole-of-Government Virtual Inspection Process to Facilitate Earlier TOP/CSC Approvals

8         Regulatory agencies^[1] have launched the Whole-of-Government virtual inspection (WOG VI) process for Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) and Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC)^[2] inspections. Under the WOG VI process, project teams have the option to submit 360-degree virtual scans of their project sites to participating regulatory agencies for virtual compliance checks required for TOP/CSC approvals.                            

9         Preliminary findings from pilot projects –  such as private residential project, Grand Dunman – indicate that the WOG VI process can deliver up to 30% in manpower savings for project parties. The phased submission approach also enables project teams to save time, as they can now obtain TOP approval up to two months earlier compared with the conventional physical inspection process.

10      Firms can start using WOG VI for their TOP/CSC inspections with immediate effect. To support industry adoption, participating agencies have published a WOG VI Guidebook that sets out the inspection requirements, processes and key considerations for project teams seeking to adopt the new approach (more details in Annex B).

Download the PDF version of the media release here [PDF, 345.38 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

====

Factsheets

Download the PDF version of the factsheets here [PDF, 295.04 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

ANNEX A – Robot Leasing Support Scheme
ANNEX B – Streamlining of TOP/CSC processes through Whole-of-Government virtual inspections

About BCA

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)

^[1] Participating agencies include the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Land Transport Authority (LTA), National Environment Agency (NEA), National Parks Board (NParks), Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). 

^[2] A Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) or Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) is required to occupy a building or part thereof. A CSC is issued when a development has complied with all relevant statutory requirements and has obtained all necessary clearances from the relevant agencies. While a TOP is issued when a development has fulfilled the necessary requirements and obtained clearances from the relevant agencies to deem the development suitable for occupation but has pending approvals with other technical agencies. Read more here: https://www1.bca.gov.sg/safety-and-standards/applications-and-licenses/application-for-top-csc/ ↗ (opens in new tab)