Hewlett-Packard has announced a suite of new capabilities for its digital construction platforms at Autodesk University, signaling a push to make on-site layout and documentation workflows significantly more automated.
The updates centre on two of HP's construction-focused products: SitePrint, a large-format robotic layout printer, and Build Workspace, its cloud-based platform for managing project drawings and documentation. Together, they form part of HP's broader strategy to digitise and streamline the handoff between design intent and physical construction work.
Among the highlights is the addition of cloud-based CAD (computer-aided design) editing directly into the SitePrint system. Previously, users had to prepare and export CAD files before sending them to the layout printer. The new capability allows project teams to edit drawings in the cloud and push revised layouts to site robots without switching between software tools — a change that can reduce turnaround time on fast-moving construction sites.
Also introduced is a feature called Smart Navigation, which HP says helps operators move layout data across the job site more efficiently. While details remain limited, the functionality is understood to assist in aligning printed layouts with the correct building zones, reducing manual verification steps and potential errors.
On the software side, Build Workspace has received improvements to its drawing management system and a new AI-driven vectorisation tool. AI vectorisation converts raster or scanned images into precise vector graphics — a process that has traditionally been labour-intensive when preparing construction documents. Automating this step could allow teams to digitise legacy drawings or site-sketched plans far faster than before.
The announcements come as the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry continues to grapple with labour shortages and tight project timelines. Automated layout systems like SitePrint have been gaining traction because they can place hundreds of reference points on a floor in a fraction of the time it takes using traditional chalk lines and measuring tapes. The latest upgrades aim to remove remaining friction points in that workflow.
HP did not disclose pricing or availability dates for the new features at the event. The company is expected to roll them out through its existing enterprise and mid-market construction channels in the coming months.
