Robotics Advances Construction at the World’s Largest Planned 3D-Printed Township
55-acre Colorado development will include 106residences, demonstrating how 3D-printing technology can be deployed atcommunity scale
SALIDA,CO – July 7, 2026 –Construction is advancing at Cleora, a 55-acre residential development in Salida,Colorado that is expected to become one of the world’s largest planned3D-printed residential communities that is also its own metro district. With infrastructure complete, seven homes already constructed,multiple homes sold and additional homes under construction, the project ismoving from concept to reality as developers seek to establish a scalable modelfor future housing communities.
While many 3D-printedhousing initiatives have focused on individual homes or small pilot projects,Cleora was designed to test the technology at community scale. Developed byCleora in partnership with True North, its dedicated3D-printing general contractor, the project is intended to serve as a blueprintfor how advanced construction technologies can support future residentialdevelopment while addressing industry challenges related to labor availability,construction efficiency and long-term scalability.
"From day one, our vision wasn'tsimply to build 3D-printed homes, it was to prove that robotics could transformhow entire communities are designed and delivered. Cleora is demonstrating thatthis technology is ready to move beyond prototypes and become a practical,scalable solution for real neighborhoods. RIC Robotics has been an outstandingtechnology partner in helping bring that vision to life." said GregKenny, Managing Partner, Cleora
The development is theculmination of nearly seven years of research into construction technologies,development strategies and scalable housing solutions. After evaluatingmultiple construction technology providers, the project team selected RICRobotics to support delivery of the community's 3D-printed homes. More than 65homes are expected to utilize RIC's construction robotics and 3D-printingtechnology, making Cleora one of the largest planned deployments of roboticconstruction technology within a single residential development in the UnitedStates. Today, two autonomous RIC Robotics printing systems are operating insupport of construction activities across the site.
“Much of the conversationaround 3D-printed construction has centered on individual homes anddemonstration projects,” said Dr. Ryan Cox, CEO of RIC Robotics.“Cleora represents a significant step forward because it demonstrates howrobotics can be integrated into a real community at meaningful scale. Theproject is helping answer important questions about how technology can supportthe future of housing delivery, from construction efficiency and workforcedevelopment to long-term community growth.”
“As someone with anarchitectural background, I've always believed construction robotics shouldexpand what's possible in design, not limit it,” said Ziyou Xu, Founderof RIC Robotics. “Cleora demonstrates that modern, architecturallydistinctive homes can be delivered at scale without increasing costs forhomeowners. That's the promise of construction robotics, creating communitiesthat are both beautiful and attainable while fundamentally changing how webuild.”
As constructioncontinues, developers are taking a measured approach to scaling production.True North’s first model home is currently under construction, with the shellexpected to be completed this month.
Beyond construction,Cleora is also intended to serve as a workforce development hub for the nextgeneration of construction professionals. Through a partnership with Colorado MountainCollege, students will gain hands-on experience with robotics, 3D-printingconstruction technologies and digital design software, helping prepare workersfor careers in an increasingly technology-driven construction industry. Thecollaboration is expected to support future training programs andcertifications focused on emerging construction technologies while helpingaddress ongoing labor shortages across the construction sector.
The development is alsonotable for establishing the county’s first 3D printed metro district, enabling the community to supportcritical infrastructure systems including commercial, recreational, utilities, water treatment and other essentialservices. Project leaders believe the integrated infrastructure model willprovide valuable lessons for future large-scale developments.
With homes alreadydelivered, additional construction underway and production expected to rampsteadily in the coming years, Cleora offers one of the clearest examples yet ofhow 3D-printing technology is moving beyond experimentation and into real-worldcommunity development, serving as a model for how construction robotics andother emerging technologies can be deployed at meaningful scale.
AboutCleora
Cleora is reimaginingwhat community development can become. Built upon one of Colorado's historic townsites,the 55-acre master-planned township introduces a new chapter in generationalcommunity building, where advanced construction robotics, enduringarchitectural design, and thoughtful planning converge to create neighborhoodsdesigned to inspire for generations. Cleora will deliver a 172-door projectacross 106 thoughtfully planned homesites, featuring single-family homes,duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and mixed-use spaces that seamlessly blendliving, entrepreneurship, and community. Cleora demonstrates how roboticconstruction is enabling the possibilities of architecture beyond the constraintsof traditional building methods. The community serves as a real-world provingground for a new generation of neighborhood design, where greater architecturalfreedom, construction innovation, and lasting craftsmanship come together tocreate places that endure for generations.
AboutRIC Robotics
RIC Robotics is a globalpioneer in large-scale construction robotics, specializing in autonomousbuilding technologies and 3D concrete printing systems designed to modernizethe construction industry. Famously for its robots completing the first few 3D printed Walmart extensions. Through its proprietary mobilerobotic platforms, the company helps automate and accelerate constructionacross commercial, residential and infrastructure projects while improvingefficiency, precision and scalability. RIC Robotics’ integrated capabilitiesinclude robotic 3D printing, architectural design, customized materialsolutions, and training and support services designed to support the future ofindustrialized construction. For more information, visit www.ricrobotics.com.
Source: RIC Robotics.
