nLink
nLink is a Norwegian robotics studio that builds mobile construction robots, including early ceiling-drilling systems that linked BIM layouts to field execution so trades could produce thousands of verified holes with less overhead exposure.
nLink publishes a multi-year case study for Drilly1, a mobile drilling robot mounted on a scissor-lift-compatible frame with line-laser sensing, app-based aiming, and dust collection that captured up to about ten kilograms of drilling dust in testing (nLink, 2025).
Between roughly 2013 and 2018 the firm reports visiting more than twenty-five construction sites and drilling north of thirty thousand ceiling holes, with peak days exceeding five hundred holes, while tying digital plans into installer workflows to reduce layout error (nLink, 2025).
The same write-up explains a BIM-linked workflow: an app absorbed hanger rules from trade manuals so planners could generate drilling plans faster than some manual BIM kiosk updates, trading engineering time for predictable field output (nLink, 2025). The project page notes a later collaboration with Hilti AG and a shift toward a more industrialized drilling robot afterward.
Today the public homepage presents nLink as a broader mobile-robotics partner across industries, not only a single SKU. Treat active products, service territories, and purchase paths as questions for the vendor rather than assumptions from historical press alone.
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- Documented field history with quantified hole counts and BIM workflow notes
- Focus on operator UX with app control instead of pendant-only programming
- Clear narrative on worker exposure to vibration, noise, and fall risk
Cons
- Flagship Drilly case study ended in 2018; check what nLink sells today
- Regional availability and language support may limit adoption outside Nordic pilot networks
- Robotics still needs site logistics, lift access, and structural approval for loads
Key features
Construction-first mobile base: Drilly combined a lift-compatible frame with a powered undercarriage so crews could reposition the cell on real sites (nLink, 2025).
Vision-assisted aiming: Visible line-laser sensing supported aligning drill points to ceiling structure before each hole (nLink, 2025).
Dust handling: Integrated extraction limited airborne concrete dust during overhead drilling (nLink, 2025).
BIM-linked planning: Project materials describe generating drilling coordinates from coordinated models and installer rules to reduce manual measurement error (nLink, 2025).
Rapid deployment: Marketing states about thirty minutes from arrival to production for the historical Drilly program (nLink, 2025).
Pricing
Project or R&D engagement (quote)
Contact sales
nLink does not publish list pricing on the public pages reviewed. Request a current statement of work for robotics development or services.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Drilly robot still available new?
nLink???s project page states the Drilly service line concluded in 2018 while the team moved toward a more industrialized drilling platform and Hilti collaboration. Ask nLink or Hilti for current product names, spare parts, and regional pilots rather than expecting the 2013 hardware unchanged.
Did nLink connect to BIM?
Yes. The Drilly documentation describes BIM-based drilling plans and an app that automated hanger placement against installer manuals. Expect modern integrations to differ, but the intent was model-to-field alignment.
What trades benefit from ceiling drilling robots?
Electrical, sprinkler, HVAC hanger routes, and suspended ceiling programs that need many aligned holes in concrete decks. The value is highest when hole volume is large enough to offset robot setup and platform moves.
Where is nLink based?
The company presents as a Norwegian robotics team. Confirm export, training, and support for your country before you budget travel and compliance costs.
How fast could Drilly drill historically?
nLink reported more than five hundred holes in a single workday and more than thirty thousand holes across the pilot era. Use those figures as historical benchmarks, not guarantees for new hardware.
nLink vs manual coring teams for MEP hangers?
Robots aim at repeat hole patterns with steady dust control and traceability from the model. Manual teams may stay cheaper for scattered openings. Compare on your ceiling module spacing, floor height, and inspection rules.