Fastbrick to Build Its Second Bricklaying Robot

Words: Eric Gilbey, Al Morris, Anonymous Anonymous, Karen Hickey, David Sommer, Cale Ash, Tom Hanzely, Bill Justus, Joseph Zappulla, Frank Guthrie, Bruce Cargill
Fastbrick Robot
The Hadrian X is expected to cost about $2 million when it goes into full production in 2019.

Fastbrick Robotics has decided to start building a second prototype Hadrian X, the commercial version of its one-armed bricklaying robot.

Mark Pivac, Chief Technology Officer, says the the board has agreed to adopt the latest high-technology best practices and invest in a second Hadrian X prototype.

“The second Hadrian X will be assembled and tested in parallel with the current Hadrian X prototype and will allow the engineering team to significantly de-risk the assembly and test phases by applying the learnings from the assembly and de-bugging process between each,” he says in the company’s quarterly report.

The goal is to have a machine that can construct the brick component of a house within three days.

“As we move away from the 3D virtual testing and simulation test environment to the engineering floor," says Pivac, "we will start to see progress as the procurement process gathers pace. Over the coming months and as we move into 2018, this will translate into the engineering team starting to assemble and test some of the key modules of the Hadrian X.”

Earlier in 2017, the U.S. machinery giant Caterpillar invested $2 million in Fastbrick, with an option for a further $8 million.

The Hadrian X is expected to cost about $2 million when it goes into full production in 2019.

The machine requires minimal human interaction and works day and night, laying up to 1,000 bricks an hour — about the output of two human bricklayers for a day.

The prototype Hadrian 105 robot, the first of its kind, can be seen in action at https://youtu.be/4YcrO8ONcfY.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/fastbrick-has-started-building-another-one-armed-robot-bricklayer-2017-10

Vibing Masonry #5-- The Evolution of Concrete Masonry Units: From Ancient Foundations to Modern Innovations
April 2025

Early Development: The Genesis of Concrete Blocks (early Rome to 1900s) The history of concrete masonry units (CMUs) or concrete blocks begins with humanity’s earliest binding materials, notably the Romans’ remarkable concrete. Around AD 125, structures l

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 18 Recap: Jeff Tew, Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
April 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Jeff Tew joins the show, along with MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz, to talk about where his passion for this industry started and what it's been like working on the Supplier side of the industry. An Excitin

Westlake Royal Building Products™ Introduces New Board & Batten Profile for Royal® and Exterior Portfolio® Vinyl Siding Lines
April 2025

Westlake Royal Building Products™ (“Westlake Royal”), a Westlake company (NYSE: WLK), has introduced a next-generation Board & Batten profile for its Royal® and Exterior Portfolio® vinyl siding lines. Maintaining the timeless charm of Board & Batten whil

New Mid-America® Gable Vents From Westlake Royal Building Products™ Combine Architectural Style With Easy Installation
April 2025

Westlake Royal Building Products™ (“Westlake Royal”), a Westlake company (NYSE:WLK), is introducing four new gable vents to its Mid-America® line of exterior siding accessories. The new gable vents offer several advantages over alternative gable vents, in