Fastbrick to build second prototype

Fastbrick Robotics has announced it will build a second of its commercial prototype Hadrian X bricklaying robots in an effort to improve testing procedures.

The robots can lay up to 1,000 bricks an hour, about twice the daily output of a typical brick layer, and the company is aiming to be able to construct the brick component of a house within three days.

Fastbrick chief executive Mike Pivac said adding a second prototype was common practice in other industries.

“Having a second Hadrian X will significantly de-risk the assembly and test phases of our revolutionary bricklaying robot,” he said.

“By adopting leading-edge assembly and construction practices from the aeronautical and defence sectors, where building two or more parallel prototypes is the norm, having a second prototype will lead to more streamlined and improved outcome enabling simultaneous testing and more durability testing in a fixed time frame.

“The Hadrian X prototypes will allow the engineering team to test the robots alongside each other, applying what they have learned during assembly and de-bugging the whole process.

“We're also performing exhaustive 3D virtual testing and digital simulation for components and have begun procuring items such as hydraulic systems, motors and a latest generation laser-tracking system.”

The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Caterpillar in July to develop potential framework for the development, manufacture, sales and service of Fastbrick’s technology.