HP SitePrint

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Product Function & Use Cases

  • Device reads 2D CAD (DXF) files and “prints” layout lines on concrete slabs using total-station tracking and on-robot ink.
  • Intended for interior layout: walls, casework, penetrations, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) locations on large, mostly empty slabs.
  • Commenters explain it’s especially useful for tenant build-outs in commercial shells (e.g., data centers, airports, warehouses) where precision and rapid iteration matter.
  • Several in construction say similar tools already “pencil out” on large slabs (>12,000 sq ft) and complex curved layouts; some see this as an obvious fit where rework is very expensive.

Comparison to Existing Practice & Alternatives

  • Today’s baseline is manual layout with chalk lines, tape measures, laser lines, and total stations.
  • Some note a lower-tech alternative for complex shapes: project plans onto the floor and trace with chalk.
  • One company (Dusty Robotics) is repeatedly cited as a direct competitor; some think Dusty currently has better real-world performance and fewer constraints on surface prep.
  • A few ask about DIY/smaller-room equivalents; nothing concrete is proposed.

Accuracy, Constraints, and Error Handling

  • System relies heavily on precise control points and version-controlled CAD; “layout is as accurate as the control points.”
  • It avoids obstacles and can handle rough/bumpy concrete, but does not automatically resolve discrepancies like mis-placed pipes; humans and engineering still need to decide whether to move walls, move services, or change plans.
  • Some see a benefit in forcing accurate “as-built” documentation, since you must update the digital model to silence conflicts.

Cloud, Subscription, and Business Model Concerns

  • Marketing copy emphasizes a cloud workflow and “pay as you go” usage model, raising concerns over mandatory connectivity, data retention, and subscription lock-in.
  • People worry about HP collecting or monetizing DXF and sensor data; clarity on privacy policies is described as missing or unclear.
  • Construction sites without reliable connectivity are highlighted as a practical problem.

HP Reputation & Printer Culture Jokes

  • Thread is full of jokes about HP ink DRM, expensive consumables, and annoying software (“cloud-based”, “subscription only”, “remote bricking”).
  • Many say they categorically avoid HP due to past experiences with home and office printers, despite acknowledging HP’s impressive industrial and life-science hardware.
  • Some predict “enshittification” of the robot over time: consumable lock-in, service parts with DRM, and aggressive subscription schemes.