Innovation

As a response to the high carbon footprint of the construction industry, Hyperion Robotics has developed a low-carbon concrete infrastructure using an innovative concrete mix with reduced cement concrete, software, robotics and large-scale 3D printing. The goal is to significantly reduce the carbon footprint in infrastructure construction globally.

The innovation was developed by Fernando De Los Ríos and his co-partners Ashish Mohite and Henry Unterreiner, and their team of passionate professionals in robotics, architecture and engineering. The aim was to build a technology that allows automatic production of optimised low-carbon concrete structures for infrastructure projects, such as foundations.

Traditionally, foundations are large monolithic blocks, but the team realised the robust blocks are not necessary. Instead, by combining robotics, 3D printing and low carbon concrete, the company came up with a new type of foundation that uses up to 75% less materials compared to conventional foundations. The foundations are lightweight, easing transportation, and by using less material, the required soil excavation is significantly reduced in the process of construction. Part of the innovation is the unique robotic system that can automatically produce reinforced concrete structures faster, cheaper and safer compared to traditional construction methods. The method is also more sustainable since it is able to reuse waste materials from different industrial processes. 

Inspiration

The inspiration behind Hyperion Robotics stemmed from De los Ríos’ drive to bring meaningful innovation to one of the world’s oldest and least digitised industries, construction. As he explained during the interview: “I found it very interesting because it's one of the largest industries in the world, but it's also one where innovation perhaps hasn't been tapped as much as in other industries”.

With a background in business and a career that began in auditing at EY, De los Ríos decided to make a bold decision to leave the corporate world to pursue entrepreneurship. His curiosity and ambition led him to explore how automation and technology could reshape construction, an industry ready to be for transformed.

In 2019, together with his co-founders, De los Ríos recognised that modernisation in construction could not just be about efficiency, it also had to address challenges related to sustainability. “We realised that there was a big need for more sustainable solutions,” he explained, emphasising the fact that concrete is the second most used material on the planet after water, it is also one of the most polluting. This awareness became central to Hyperion Robotics’ mission: integrating automation with eco-conscious practices to create smarter, greener infrastructure.

As the founders started talking to potential customers in the construction industry to better understand their needs to build in a more efficient way, they considered the whole industry from housing to building simple walls. After many iterations, prototyping and conversations with potential clients, the team realised the impact tackling the infrastructure sector would have.

Overall impact

The impact of Hyperion Robotics’ innovation extends beyond introducing new technology as it represents a practical shift toward a more sustainable and efficient construction industry. De los Ríos explained that in such a conservative sector, “you need to show that there are cost savings and that you can bring other kinds of benefits.” For this reason, Hyperion’s approach integrates environmental responsibility with tangible value for clients. The company’s 3D-printed low-carbon concrete structures not only cut CO₂ emissions but also deliver measurable cost and time efficiencies. “We are very lucky in a way that we can save CO₂ already, but we can also help our clients save costs”, De los Ríos noted, emphasising the short-term advantages of their technology in real-world projects.

In the long term, the innovation’s potential impact is global. The product serves the energy and water sectors, as well as rail and road projects. Hyperion’s solution is already “code compliant”, allowing immediate implementation without regulatory delays. As adoption grows, the company envisions a significant reduction in emissions globally through smarter design and material efficiency: “When [our solution] is massively adopted around the world, then we will be able to see the impact of that 8 % significantly reduced”.

Founded in Finland and now expanding into the UK and wider Europe, Hyperion Robotics demonstrates how innovation in design, materials, and process can generate both environmental and economic benefits. With ongoing EU-funded projects to develop carbon-negative concrete, the company continues to lead the way toward a low-carbon future in global construction. 

Business benefit

Because Hyperion Robotics combines automation, robotics and sustainable materials, the company has unlocked both operational efficiencies and new market opportunities within the construction sector. As the CEO De los Ríos explained, their goal from the start was “bringing better productivity and automation to construction”, using 3D printing to meet clients’ evolving needs. Through continuous testing and collaboration with Finnish companies such as Stora Enso and Metso, Hyperion has transformed industrial waste into 3D printable concrete, creating a new, circular business model that differentiates them in a traditionally conservative industry.

This innovation has enabled Hyperion to develop a versatile portfolio of products from structural foundations to infrastructure elements while significantly improving project speed and cost-effectiveness. By offering optimised low-carbon concrete structures that use up to 75% less material, the company provides measurable savings for clients, positioning itself as both a technology and sustainability leader. The scalability of this approach has opened new markets across Europe, with operations expanding from Finland to the UK and beyond.

As De los Ríos highlighted, the company’s dual focus on CO₂ reduction and cost savings makes it attractive to investors and partners seeking sustainable innovation. EU-funded projects, such as the initiative to develop carbon-negative concrete, have also strengthened Hyperion’s credibility and growth potential. These successes demonstrate how aligning sustainability with profitability has created tangible business value, new investment opportunities, and long-term stability for Hyperion Robotics. 

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Social and environmental benefit

Hyperion Robotics’ innovation delivers substantial benefits for both society and the planet by addressing one of the most pressing global challenges, carbon emissions from construction. De los Ríos noted that concrete alone “is responsible for more than three billion tons of CO₂ every year — that’s around 8% of global CO₂ emissions”. By developing low-carbon and eventually carbon-negative concrete, Hyperion directly contributes to UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Their technology minimises waste by “using just the right amount of material needed”, reducing both environmental impact and resource consumption.

Beyond environmental gains, the company’s approach promotes safer and more sustainable construction practices. Through automation and robotics, Hyperion reduces on-site labour risks and enhances efficiency, helping companies deliver their projects faster while improving worker wellbeing. The adoption of circular economy principles by reusing industrial waste from sectors like mining and forestry further supports local industries in minimising landfill waste and optimising resource use.

As Hyperion’s solutions expand from Finland to the UK and eventually worldwide, the broader societal impact becomes increasingly significant. By demonstrating that sustainable construction can also be cost-effective and scalable, Hyperion is reshaping industry perceptions and inspiring others to innovate responsibly. Ultimately, its technology not only reduces emissions but also fosters a cultural shift toward smarter, more resilient infrastructure and lays the foundation for a sustainably built environment.

“Our goal is to have Hyperion be one of the leading companies that help remove almost all those three billion tons of CO2” produced by the concrete industry, Hyperion's CEO De los Ríos concludes. 

Interview

Fernando de Los Ríos, Co-Founder & CEO

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