Xpanner launches X1 Kit to add Physical AI to construction machines; NoBull Energy named first XBoost partner

Xpanner unveils X1 retrofit kit to add “physical AI” to existing machines; NoBull Energy named inaugural XBoost partner

Xpanner has introduced the flagship X1 Kit, a retrofit option designed to automate and add Physical AI to existing construction site equipment. The kit is positioned to deliver more than 50% efficiency gains without purchasing new machinery, and a first partner—NoBull Energy—was named for the XBoost program that aims to broaden collaboration in solar projects. The X1 is described as field-ready and capable of integrating across brands and models, turning aging machines into software-defined assets on the jobsite.

In line with its broader mission, Xpanner emphasizes turning cutting-edge technology into practical tools that operators can use on the ground. The X1 extends a task-specific automation approach, moving beyond simply automating equipment to automating distinct tasks across a project so that automation compounds into a more automated overall workflow. Initial deployments have focused on pile drivers, with plans to expand to additional machinery as demand grows and field learnings accumulate.

Xpanner traces its roots to South Korea, where the company was founded in 2020, before expanding into the United States in 2023. The company operates under a Technology as a Service (TaaS) model that blends automation and robotics to streamline construction processes. Earlier offerings included an “automation-ready package” for construction equipment such as pile drivers and excavators, featuring pre-configured remote control, smart attachments, and precision guidance systems. The X1 kit represents a further evolution by linking these capabilities to a broader physical AI framework across brands and models.

In its adoption strategy, Xpanner pursues a bottom-up path developed in collaboration with workers to understand their needs and acceptance thresholds. The company describes a three-stage pathway: initial exposure through peers using automation; a curious skeptic phase where workers observe peer successes; and a technology advocate phase where workers actively contribute to co-developing automation across tasks. This approach has yielded the Mango and Mangosteen systems, which connect different brands’ products and attachments to improve precision and flexibility on site.

Xpanner asserts the X1 can be applied across a range of construction tasks and is already deployed on pile-driving equipment, a high-precision, high-impact application especially relevant to solar installations. The company notes that ongoing evolution on the jobsite creates a foundational physical AI infrastructure that learns and improves with use, potentially expanding beyond pile drivers as the roadmap progresses. The practical benefits highlighted by the company include reduced need for highly skilled labor and notable cost reductions, alongside efficiency gains that can exceed half in some use cases.

Separately, a formal partnership was announced that names NoBull Energy of Indianapolis as the inaugural partner of the XBoost Partnership Program. The program aims to bolster collaboration with renewable energy developers and EPCs, combining Xpanner’s smart construction solutions with NoBull Energy’s project execution capabilities to advance solar and storage projects. NoBull Energy brings experience across PV and BESS projects and offers multiple contracting strategies, including self-performing, subcontracting, or managing projects to meet client requirements. Leadership statements describe the partnership as a step toward expanding renewable energy infrastructure through integrated technology and execution expertise.

Market context frames automation as a means to address persistent labor shortages and skill gaps on construction sites. Despite advances in AI and robotics, pen-and-paper workflows remain common on many sites, and a sizable portion of the workforce faces retirement risk in the coming years. Advocates describe smart construction solutions as a way to keep projects on track by enabling less-experienced workers to perform tasks with precision, while automation augments rather than replaces human labor. Task automation, including the use of cameras and GPS sensors for spotting and measuring, is highlighted as a way to reassign helpers to higher-value and safer roles.

Xpanner reports growing US traction since entering the market in late 2023 and cites project activity across Alabama, Missouri, and Texas in 2024, with anticipated developments in Arizona, California, and Colorado in 2025. The company has earned recognition in the field through multiple industry listings, including appearances on a robotics-focused Top 50 list for two consecutive years and a notable demonstration award in a national competition. The overarching mission remains to ensure that beneficial technologies are practical and usable on site, addressing skilled labor shortages by boosting worker productivity and efficiency through accessible automation.

Beyond the X1 itself, Xpanner underscores a broader view of the construction workflow, not just the machines. By focusing on task-level automation, the company argues, sites can achieve greater precision and reliability while enabling operators of varying experience levels to contribute more effectively. The X1 technology is described as retrofitting seamlessly into existing machinery, offering operators and supervisors new levels of control and visibility over jobsite operations. This integrated approach is intended to distinguish Xpanner in a competitive market by prioritizing usability and tangible field benefits over abstract capabilities.