Fast robotic bricklayer Hadrian X “3D prints” houses faster by “brickjetting”
Is bricklaying a form of additive manufacturing? Not really. However, if we introduce a digital and robotic element to it, it may just be considered a type of 3D printing. Australian company Fast Robotics refers to this when defining its impressive Hadrian X robotic bricklaying technology. We tend to agree that the video (below) shows how the system works.
The houses are built brick by brick and layer by layer according to the digital instructions in what appears to be the house’s gcode. With a $2 million price tag, Hadrian X is the first globally patented 3D robotic bricklaying system. From the computer-aided design of a house structure, the Hadrian X robotic, end-to-end bricklaying system handles the automatic loading, cutting, routing and placement of all bricks, course by course.
If we wanted to be picky, we’d say that it’s more of a drop-on-drop “brickjetting” system than an extrusion-based process. Either way, it qualifies as 3D printing, and it comes in handy. In these times of intense activity for 3D printing in the construction field, from $ billion contracts to skyscrapers, it’s nice to know that some solutions could be implemented relatively quickly.
The Hadrian X brings new automation and benefits to a traditional construction and bricklaying process. It pushes the boundaries of conventional methods and brings new levels of speed, accuracy, safety and waste management. It can also build an entire house in less than 2 days. Fastbrick Robotics aims to improve the speed, accuracy and safety of the global brick construction industry by utilizing the world’s latest innovation in mobile robotic technology.
