Meet SAM, the bricklaying robot

Meet metal-muscled SAM, the bricklaying robotic assistant of the future.

SAM, short for Semi-Automated Mason, was developed by Construction Robotics, a small business funded by the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research program.

SAM works alongside masons to install bricks, making the humans’ jobs less backbreaking. It is designed to increase productivity and reduce heavy-lifting burdens on construction crews. Masons set SAM up and work alongside it, continuing to use their knowledge and skills while letting the robot handle the repetition and physical labor.
Business co-founder Scott Peters hopes this new technology will attract new talent to the industry and ultimately boost the U.S. economy by adding jobs.

NSF provides early stage R&D funding to small businesses such as Construction Robotics to help them move their innovative ideas into the marketplace.

[anthonyizzard]

I started work on the trowel in 1972, they were talking about robots taking over from bricklayers back then. If this is what 48 years of progress looks like then Im not holding my breath. There are too many variables involved in bricklaying. By the time they overcome these using a working robot, constructing by bricks will be outdated. This video shows 5 persons working on a straight wall work which would normally be carried out by a 2+1 gang . Dream on !

[AndyShepherd-bisk]

My Dad was a custom brick mason who was the best ever seen. My granddad, 3 uncle's also were brick masons. Top knotch craftsman's who knew how to go it done right.

[ruediix]

This is an example of a robot providing better quality work, without putting too many people out of a job.

It does allow the bricklaying to be done slightly faster, and at slightly lower cost, but that just means more places will opt for brickwork, which was previously cost prohibitive.

[liamwalters]

Would love to see the robot lay bricks in a tight area or overhand, lots of comments on here from people who never laid a brick in there life, the prefabricated panels that need jointing up might be used for certain projects, but just not practical for all, as for sparks being the be all and end all your having a laugh!

[edwardwilliams]

Ha ha pause it on 49 seconds see how wonky the bricks are. Sam you need a string line

[Aingelives]

I'm bricklaying machine can't be beat.

[rroge]

you got to make this avaiable ... so many people have been injured to the point of not being able to walk and do daily tasks without pain

[hawaiiguykailua]

That we are still using small bricks is pretty dumb in and of itself(with all respect to masons as its a tough job and I admire the craftsmanship). The Chinese have moved away from it and are pouring 20 houses a day using formed cement walls. If you want to put veneer brick sheets on after or use a mold with brick lines/texture thats an option too.

[tonygubb]

seen one in news international in Merseyside in 1995 and that soon got the bullet. 2x1 gang can put 1500 to 2000 brick in a day. How many men does it take to run that machine. Looking at the Video two men jointing up cleaning the mortar off, the out side wall and cavity, one man feeding bricks and two men running it. So how do they work the wages out at the end of the week. Leave the professional to build the walls and go and weight your machine in at the scrap yard

[CiroSantilli]

Can this be made at an economically feasible price?

[MattyP]

All these Luddites in the comment section. Get a grip, automation is here to stay & continue to get better over time. Your moaning & complaining about it won't stop it.

[KungFuChess]

Needs an auto load mechanism to feed the bricks to the main unit

[oldfashionedwrx]

Looks like they need an operator for this robot to work, it looks good to prevent manual handling injuries.

[bradleyparker]

U want to make something. Make one that lays 12 inch block

[JacekNasiadek]

As with most of the videos of automation I've watched recently (including driving), this looks like it can only supplement people, not supplant them.

[truvak]

that is how the future ought to be, man and machine working together, complementing each other.

[WashingtonHoax]

It will allow more production with the same or fewer number of crew. Still needs proper setup and monitoring with know how.
If the robots can be created versatile for smaller projects and programming.
All work that is pick and place is threatened by the machines of vision control and flexible robotics. The bricklayers will need to be trained in robotics repair and maintenance like a machinist and technician of hydraulics, electronics and electrician.

[benkleschinsky]

I'm currently apprenticing as a bricklayer. Looks like I'm phucked.

[cielobuio]

What I like about Sam:

He won't turn up late and say he just had to go look at another job
He won't want to use your toilet
He won't stop for tea breaks
He won't smoke and throw his cigarette butts on your lawn

[williamdillon]

It looks really inexpensive and probably never break down