Fastbrick Robotics Ltd (ASX:FBR) has commenced construction of its automated bricklaying commercial prototype, following the success of the technology in a demonstrator.
The company is using a mobile robotic technology that is fully automated and the ‘end-to-end’ bricklaying robot is mounted on a truck with a 30 metre boom and it is claimed can lay up to 1,000 bricks per hour.
The robot can handle different brick sizes and complete all of the cutting, grinding, milling and routing of the bricks prior to laying.
Fastbrick has filed patent applications covering several of the new technologies that will be incorporated into the prototype called Hadrian X.
The potential market is a sizeable one with total revenues estimated for the Australian bricklaying industry at $3.2 billion in FY15. About 80% of the cost of brick construction is attributed to manual bricklaying labour.
In the U.K., about 1.81 billion bricks were laid in FY15 at a cost of $3.21 per brick, presenting a compelling market opportunity for Fastbrick. The worldwide addressable market is in excess of $100 billion.
Perth-based Fastbrick Robotics listed on the ASX in November 2015 after completing a $5.75 million capital raising.
The company has already received interest in the Hadrian X from major construction companies and machine manufacturers.
Fastbrick had $4.5 million in cash as at 31 March 2016.
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