By Andrea Hargraves 
Acciona is revolutionizing the construction sector in Portugal with the pioneering implementation of the HP SitePrint robot in construction work at the Hospital Central do Alentejo, located in Évora. This is the first time that an infrastructure company has continuously used autonomous equipment to improve work efficiency on a nationwide construction project.
HP SitePrint enabled Spanish company Acciona to dramatically speed up installation, achieving a layout speed six times faster than traditional methods. Equipped with an operating system that interprets building plans, the robot prints lines and text directly onto surfaces, maintaining maximum accuracy.
HP SitePrint has allowed the construction of more than 25,000 square meters to date, but has also proven its effectiveness in the precise implementation of the interior partitions of the Hospital Central do Alentejo building.
The robot is a mobile unit equipped with wheels and a printing head specially developed for this purpose. Its high performance and autonomy reduce the physical stress on surveyors while speeding up the execution of the work. Acciona highlights that despite automation, the human operator still plays a fundamental role in the process, from drawing up plans to operating the equipment.
Designed to serve more than 200,000 people, the Hospital Central do Alentejo offers modern hospital units, including 400 beds distributed in a 10-storey building, green spaces, a helipad and ample parking. With an investment of approximately 149 million euros, this project represents Acciona’s largest in Portugal and is scheduled for completion in 2025.