Australian bricklaying robot comes to Europe

The Wienerberger Group, one of Europe’s biggest brick producers, has signed a partnership agreement with Fastbrick Robotics, creators of the Hadrian X bricklaying robot.

The first phase of the multi-stage partnership agreement primarily involves an intensive exchange of information between the 2 partners in order to develop optimised clay block solutions for the Hadrian X construction robot. Wienerberger and FBR will also assess business models to be adopted in selected markets ahead of a proposed pilot project in Europe.

The Hadrian X was developed for outdoor work and uses a special technology developed by FBR called “dynamic stabilisation technology”, or DST. This enables Hadrian X to measure and compensate movements caused by wind, vibrations or counter-movements in real time, allowing for the fully automated construction of residential buildings with the highest precision and quality, while at the same time optimising the use of materials.

The assembly of the first Hadrian X was completed in summer 2018 and the partnership with Wienerberger signifies the next stage of testing and commissioning phase.

Heimo Scheuch, CEO of Wienerberger AG: “In times of digitalisation, high demand for affordable housing and the prevailing shortage of skilled workers, the construction industry is facing major challenges. Together with FBR, we want to develop solutions based on the pioneering Hadrian X technology, which allows housing construction projects to be executed faster and more cost-effectively.

“Alongside these advantages, the technology requires fewer resources and is less labor-intensive. This cooperation is a further step in our strategy to offer our customers innovative products, services and solutions.”

Mike Pivac, CEO of Fastbrick Robitics, added: “The Hadrian X is a technology that can revolutionise residential construction in many parts of the world. This partnership will enable us to offer our customers unique clay block solutions tailored to their markets and also ensure a sustainable supply of blocks manufactured specifically for Hadrian X”.