Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and The GEAR by Kajima, have launched the Startup CoLab EAI to support Singapore based and international startups to develop, test and commercialize new embodied AI (EAI) solutions in the construction sector.
The program will offer identified industry use cases, construction sandboxes and live project sites, helping promising technologies move beyond trials towards wider industry deployment, EnterpriseSG said in a statement on Wednesday.
It is noted that 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 ($30.42 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.
Announced by Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) 2026, Startup CoLab EAI will support startups developing embodied AI solutions through three key stages: shaping and localizing their technologies to meet Singapore’s industry needs and operational requirements; validating the solutions under simulated and real-world conditions at construction sandboxes, live project sites and The GEAR building; and helping successful startups connect with customers and investors to scale their businesses and drive wider industry adoption.
The program leverages Kajima’s industry expertise and network of project sites, alongside public-private sector partnerships to support the customization 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 program, 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.
“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,” said Emily Liew, Assistant Managing Director, Innovation, EnterpriseSG.
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 catalyze more industry-led initiatives and create a conducive environment for the adoption of promising solutions,” he added.
Luke Wu, Managing Director, The GEAR by Kajima, said the GEAR by Kajima’s unique position allows them to take on three roles in the Startup CoLab EAI program: program 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,” he added.