The process of mudding drywall seams–which requires multiple applications of joint compound, followed by multiple drying and sanding cycles–has remained unchanged for decades. That all changed in June, when construction robotics company Canvas demonstrated its drywall finishing machine’s new feature, Level 4 Targeted Spray, at a big launch event inside its San Francisco headquarters.

San Francisco-based Canvas, which this year began leasing its schedule-compressing drywall finishing robot to self-perform general contractors and drywall contractors in the Bay Area, this month began its rapid expansion into new regions.

Since the first humans began to settle down as an agricultural society at the very dawn of civilization, continuing for thousands of years until the middle of the 19th century, only five mineral binders were used to create plasters and mortars.

Modular building concepts—also known as off-site construction—have been utilized for decades. However, the use of pre-fabrication and modular building techniques is increasingly common now. 

In addition to being technically challenging, drywall finishing is also physically difficult.

Construction robotics startup Canvas announced that California Drywall–ranked the 9th largest drywall specialty contractor in the U.S.–has joined the Canvas Innovation Partner Program. 

GMS Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AMES Taping Tools.

Drywall finishing, in many ways, is a fine art. The amount of finesse required to achieve a perfectly smooth interior finish takes time, resources, and skill—things that wall and ceiling contractors know all too well are not always in ample supply. 

Dieter Kitzul of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada has been named the newest Trim-Tex Drywall Artist of the Year.