FBR builds first outdoor home using Hadrian X robot
FBR’s Hadrian X robot has completed its first outdoor build.
FBR (ASX: FBR) has marked a major milestone after the Hadrian X construction robot successfully completed its first home build in Western Australia.
Known as Build1, the robotic technology company labelled its first outdoor build of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home structure an “important technical and commercial milestone for the company.”
Construction of the home structure was undertaken in less than the targeted three days during Perth’s summer, with work also proceeding at night.
FBR chief executive officer Mike Pivac said Hadrian X had demonstrated it can work through a range of environmental factors with precision.
“Completion of our first outdoor build is a significant achievement in itself. To be able to demonstrate that the machine can work in extreme heat and with strong winds is pleasing and is exactly what we wanted so far from our ongoing testing program,” he said.
“Additionally, to see the machine operating at night and understanding how valuable this capability will be in global markets was particularly exciting.”
The company will now take some time to make improvements to Hadrian X based on the results of the testing program to date, with more rigorous testing for the machine planned for the winter months.
The focus will be on optimising Hadrian X’s speed, reliability and accuracy.
Hadrian X is considered the world’s first construction robot, utilising a globally patented 3D robotic bricklaying system.
Commercialisation and new technology developments
2018 was a big year for FBR which saw it undertake a rebrand and name change to reflect its growth into a global technology developer with a core technology that has a range of applications beyond bricklaying.
The company is already beginning to explore some of the various applications to firm up a growing pipeline of new technology developments into the future.
FBR is also focused on commercialising Hadrian X and is fresh from inking a memorandum of understanding with Brickworks Building Products for the provision of robotic building capabilities to the residential building and construction sector.
Under the joint venture, FBR and Brickworks (ASX: BKW) have also agreed to collaborate on the design, manufacture, compliance certification and testing of clay and concrete masonry blocks for use by Hadrian X in the Australian market.
FBR shares were unchanged at $0.13 around midday trade.