A ROBOT painter and decorator has been invented by Dulux to cope with a shortage of human ones.
The firm has spent millions inventing a hi-tech machine that can spray a whole wall by itself.
The robot is expected to perform the most tedious or least challenging tasksLes Companions
“Paco”, which is expected to be up and running next year, comes with a 3D scanner to create a digital model of the space that needs painting.
The data is relayed to the bot who gets on with the job while humans do the trickier work.
Paco was developed by Les Companions, a French start-up receiving investment from Dulux owner AkzoNobel.
Antoine Rennuit, who runs Les Companions, told The Sun on Sunday: “Paco’s mission is to perform the most tedious, or least challenging tasks.
“But you still need a human touch.”
AkzoNobel UK head Jose Antonio Jimenez Lozano said they were investing in the tech as they were worried about the lack of available workers.
He said: “Especially in the UK, we see a big scarcity of painters. We’re really concerned.”
He said Covid saw many people switch profession, while Brexit led to a fall in workers from the EU.
It comes as a Dulux Decorator Centre survey shows 61 UK painting and decorating firms are struggling to find staff.
Despite the shortage, 40 per cent of firms were busier than before the pandemic.