# Robotics, automation and sandbox rental waivers to boost productivity and innovation in construction sector

- **Source:** EdgeProp Singapore
- **Published:** 2026-07-17T08:32:42.000Z
- **Author:** Ashley Lo
- **Original:** https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/robotics-automation-and-sandbox-rental-waivers-boost-productivity-and-innovation-construction-sector
- **Topics:** New Launches, Government & Policy, Sustainability & PropTech

## Featured rationale

Lower testing and procurement barriers could accelerate commercial adoption of construction technology, potentially improving productivity and easing manpower constraints across future developments.

## AI summary

BCA will waive technology-sandbox rental fees for two years from July 2026 as Singapore expands robotics, automation and digitalisation measures for construction.

## Original article

The government has launched a series of measures to accelerate the adoption of robotics and innovative technologies in Singapore's built environment sector. These include rental waivers for technology testbeds, streamlined procurement processes and regulatory changes aimed at reducing barriers to deployment.

The latest measures come as Singapore continues to see strong construction demand, with robotics, automation and digitalisation identified as key enablers to boost productivity and address manpower constraints across the built environment sector, says Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat at the Construction Technology @ Punggol Digital District event on July 17.

To encourage companies to pilot new technologies, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will waive space rental fees for technology sandboxes at the Built Environment Innovation Hub for two years from July 2026. It will initially apply to teams testing productivity-enhancing solutions, particularly robotics and automation technologies.

Read also: JTC start-up hub LaunchPad gets fresh spaces and new partnerships

The waiver could be extended to other areas if there is demand for other types of technologies, adds Chee.

Additionally, JTC will establish a new sandbox in Jurong Innovation District to trial large-scale autonomous construction technologies and heavy construction equipment systems. The inaugural project will be carried out in partnership with Kajima Corporation, alongside JTC, HDB and the Smart and Sustainable Precincts Taskforce Programme Office.

To help promising technologies move beyond pilot projects, JTC will also launch the Innovative Procurement Partnership (IPP) tenders for technologies, such as construction inspection robots and remote-controlled tower cranes.

The framework, introduced in February 2025, allows companies with successful pilot projects to be considered for future JTC projects without having to participate in fresh tenders. The move reduces administrative barriers to commercial deployment.

Following the launch of the first two IPP tenders earlier this year, JTC received nearly 20 submissions and awarded the tenders to three start-ups.

On the regulatory front, the Ministry of Manpower and BCA have eased workplace safety requirements for construction projects deploying smart hoists.

Read also: TCRE Partners' Nicholas Yeo, JMD Holdings clinch Punggol Digital District hotel site

Following a review of the first batch of pilot projects, firms will no longer be required to station operators inside smart hoists, provided appropriate safety measures, such as door interlocks, are implemented.

To further streamline processes, agencies can also consider studying the possibility of whitelisting smart hoist solutions that have proven safety records in future, for pre-approved exemption from the rules, says Chee.

Alongside these regulatory enhancements, JTC is also looking to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions. The agency announced the first batch of solutions under its Integrated Digital Delivery Technology Alliance, a curated marketplace of digital tools that integrate with JTC's OPTIMUS Connected Data Environment. The shared digital workspace enables information sharing among project teams throughout the project lifecycle, from design to construction.

The initiative aims to help construction firms adopt proven digital solutions more efficiently, reducing the need for individual trial-and-error processes while providing technology companies with greater opportunities to scale their innovations.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok

### 机器人、自动化与沙盒租金豁免助力建筑业提升生产力与创新

在建筑需求保持强劲之际，政府推出新措施推动建成环境行业提升生产力。

政府推出一系列措施，加速机器人与创新科技在新加坡建成环境行业的采用，包括科技试验场地租金豁免、精简采购流程，以及旨在降低部署门槛的监管调整。

国家发展部长徐芳达于7月17日在 Construction Technology @ Punggol Digital District 活动上表示，最新措施出台之际，新加坡建筑需求持续强劲，机器人、自动化与数字化被认定为提升生产力、缓解人力制约的关键推手。

为鼓励企业试点新技术，建设局（BCA）将自2026年7月起两年内，豁免建成环境创新中心科技沙盒的场地租金。初期适用于测试提升生产力方案的团队，尤其是机器人与自动化技术。

另读：JTC 初创中心 LaunchPad 获新空间与新合作伙伴

徐芳达补充，若其他类型技术也有需求，豁免范围可进一步扩大。

此外，裕廊集团（JTC）将在裕廊创新区设立新沙盒，试验大规模自主建筑技术与重型施工设备系统。首个项目将与鹿岛建设（Kajima Corporation）合作，并有 JTC、建屋发展局（HDB）及智慧与可持续区域专责工作组计划办公室共同参与。

为帮助有潜力的技术走出试点，JTC 还将就建筑巡检机器人、遥控塔吊等技术推出创新采购伙伴计划（Innovative Procurement Partnership, IPP）招标。

该框架于2025年2月推出，允许试点成功的企业在未来 JTC 项目中获得考虑，无需重新参与新一轮招标，从而降低商业部署的行政障碍。

今年早前首两轮 IPP 招标推出后，JTC 收到近20份投标，并将标的批予三家初创企业。

在监管方面，人力部与建设局已放宽部署智能提升机（smart hoist）建筑项目的工作场所安全要求。

另读：TCRE Partners 的 Nicholas Yeo、JMD Holdings 拿下榜鹅数码区酒店地段

在检讨首批试点项目后，企业在实施门锁联锁等适当安全措施后，将不再被要求在智能提升机内安排操作员驻守。

徐芳达表示，为进一步精简流程，有关机构也可研究未来将安全记录良好的智能提升机方案列入白名单，预先豁免相关规定。

除上述监管优化外，JTC 亦推动加速采用数字解决方案。该机构公布了整合数字交付技术联盟（Integrated Digital Delivery Technology Alliance）首批方案——一个经筛选的数字工具市场，可与 JTC 的 OPTIMUS Connected Data Environment 整合。这一共享数字工作空间可在项目全生命周期（从设计到施工）实现项目团队间信息共享。

该倡议旨在帮助建筑企业更高效地采用经验证的数字方案，减少各自试错，同时为科技公司提供更大的规模化创新机会。