World's Fastest Brick-Laying Robot Arrives in America

It has just travelled from Australia to Florida and is set to revolutionise the speed of building construction.

The Hadrian X | FBR

The robotic truck and its accompanying 105 ft (32m) telescopic brick-laying arm is known as the Hadrian X and has been developed by robotics company FBR. This motorised beast can stack 500 USA-format masonry blocks weighing up to 99 pounds (45 kg) per hour. And can therefore build a simple full-sized house in not much more than a single day.

The Hadrian X gets to work after it is loaded by pallets containing the blocks. Each block is then sent down a chute on the arm, painted with a quick-dry construction adhesive that takes the place of mortar, and is placed by a variable gripper at the end of the arm. Thanks to its impressive length, the arm is able to build structures that are three stories tall. Plus, because it's a robot, it doesn't swear at the boss, need to sleep or take a break, so it can get on with its job pretty much 24/7.

The plan is for the robotic builder to first complete a site acceptance test at a facility in Fort Meyers, Florida, to demonstrate its capabilities. Should that go well, Hadrian X will then build between five and 10 single-story homes as part of a demonstration program.

Want to see it in action? Here's a quick one minute video...