Whoever said that robots only belong in factories has clearly never heard of the Hadrian X, the world’s first robotic bricklaying machine and system. It has been developed by Australian firm FBR Limited. Using 3D CAD models, the Hadrian X system can build the walls of a house in situ within a single day. It can complete most designs for 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom houses within 3 days.
How does Hadrian X work?
While the materials may have changed somewhat, the way that people have laid bricks and stone blocks for construction has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. It has been driven entirely by manpower, but Hadrian X offers an alternative.
The device itself is fairly compact. It can be loaded onto any typical truck for easy transport to various construction sites. It can even sit on barges, boats, trains and other modes of transport to get where it needs to be.
The Hadrian X system works by using unique optimization software that takes a wall sketch and converts it into real physical block positions. As it’s working, it makes use of proprietary dynamic stabilization technology from FBR. It measures wind, vibration and other interference in real time, which helps to ensure and maintain accuracy of block placement at all times.
When working properly, the Hadrian X can place about 1 block every 20-30 seconds, which equates to more than 1,000 standard bricks per hour.
Even the blocks are special
It’s not just the machine and intelligent system that’s amazing, but the blocks themselves. They’re 12 times larger than standard house bricks, but also lighter, stronger and built for efficiency and minimal waste. They also contain a special adhesive mortar that bonds the blocks together entirely within 45 minutes.
The blocks boast terrific thermal and insulating properties. They are pre-built with exactly the right gaps and spaces to allow threading of other materials, wires and more. The Hadrian X doesn’t have to just use these special blocks, however. The system is also capable of laying regular bricks made from concrete or clay.
The future of bricklaying?
Bricklaying used to be a shortcut to all kinds of physical pain and discomfort in life. Now, Hadrian X marks the start of a new revolution in industrial technology. It aims to help the typical bricklayer move away from the more laborious and physically demanding nature of their work. It enables them to expand their horizons with new knowledge and skills in smarter construction solutions. A career in construction can now become more lasting and mentally fulfilling for even the lower- to mid-tier building workforce.
Even better than that is the fact that machines like the Hadrian X take on the riskier and more dangerous tasks and make the working lives of construction workers safer and less stressful.
Benefits of Hadrian X
What are the benefits that Hadrian X will bring not just to construction, but wider society as a whole?
- Construction times for homes and commercial buildings can be slashed as main structure can be raised in days, rather than weeks
- Precision and accuracy of construction boosted, as well as consistency since all involved parties can now work from the same set of plans that are fed to Hadrian X
- Construction sites are made safer, more pleasant working environments, as well as less wasteful and more eco-friendly
- Construction costs can come down
Startup
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