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.
To learn more about NSF SBIR/STTR programs, visit: www.nsf.gov/eng...
To learn more about Construction Robotics, visit: www.constructio...

[@anthonyizzard5983]

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 By the time they overcome these using a working robot, constructing by bricks will be outdated.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 !

[@liamoliamo]

100% people think all walls are straight and built in brick

[@JesseVanPelt]

​@liamoliamo I agree with you. Part of me thinks the goal of this is to reverse the 2+1 to 1+2. Meaning 1 mason to 2 tenders. I've never worked on large jobs, only small jobs but it's hard to find guys who want to apprentice long enough to be a legit brick mason. Sometimes you can get them to hang around long enough to teach them to mix mud, carry bricks and strike joints which is pretty much what's needed here plus 1 experienced guy who knows what everything is supposed to look like. Just my thoughts

[@AndyShepherd-bi1sk]

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.

[@edwardwilliams8924]

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

[@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.

[@liamwalters5029]

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!

[@edflint6905]

Is this an apprentice robot?

[@Aingelives44]

I'm bricklaying machine can't be beat.

[@MattyP62618]

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.

[@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.

[@imutau]

For now...

[@pinkmenace7590]

The current state of the automation industry is similar to the computer industry in the 1990's. People and companies used them and but they were not wide spread and considered niche, then one day you wake up, you have a smart TV, a personal computer faster then super computers (of the 1990's) that can fit in your pocket. and a super fast communication network that you can access of all your main devices (PC or a laptop (or just the smaller version a Phone or Tablet)) where you get around the clock news updates and updates about family and friends and basic computer are required even for a lot of the basic jobs. All this has really occurred in the last 10 years with an additional 59 years of R&D (Since the first universal computer of ~1951). Give it time.

[@rashikkenn8798]

@@pinkmenace7590 Comments like these are the reason I like the comment section.

[@CockyMike911]

Anybody find it odd that they wouldn't show the robot laying more than one brick at time?

[@oldfashionedwrx3574]

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

[@CiroSantilli]

Can this be made at an economically feasible price?

[@williamdillon4520]

It looks really inexpensive and probably never break down

[@cleisonarmandomanriqueagui9176]

I always said you should show the final result of every product which has to be usefull and productive

[@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.

[@tyronemulcahy]

Can't build a pier, gable end, work in tight spaces, put a lintel on, arch ways or a load of other things though can it. All good and well on a straight run with a world's supply of space and 10 people working on it. 2 in 1 bricklaying gang would out work that no end.

[@bcuz2975]

Just, $500,000 for this machine. Man that's a capital commitment.

[@wumpty93]

Nice one sam... Now build me a solid 2 brick thick flemish bond wall with brick on edge.

[@angelsuniverse6021]

Give it time

[@e.f.6509]

*Did he say it's going to help the US economy and jobs in the US?* Automation is the biggest enemy to jobs.

[@papooseamerica4978]

E. T. lol

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

Universal Basic Income is the future. Not everyone can be a scientist, a mathematician, an engineer or a computer programmer.

[@matthewwatson5273]

+MeTube what about budtender robotic technitions computer tech electrician, or even a marajuana worker. plus the amount of new green jobs.

[@ddo4362]

Universal basic income??? We already have that, it's called the dole where I come from, how much would you expect for doing nothing all day every day.

[@mikebachmann5800]

Exactly!!

[@iscander_s]

I like to see, how they use robot for bricklaying and then mix concrete using a shovel.

[@lancehalberg4531]

That’s looks about 60% slower than a good brick mason

[@hostageg4417]

like to see it build arches

[@jordwright507]

pokerhorse like to see it climb a ladder

[@abuzarv7708]

why would you need when it can just use hydraulics to lift itself up...

[@williambalkwill2843]

It does, watch the 8 minute video they have. It's disgusting.

[@AltarenGalil]

Seems like youre doing just as much heavy lifting loading the brick and mortar into the machine. Its good to see this is being developed as long as people realise this is early backer technology and nowhere near good enough to be justifiable economically

[@patelien]

This is 2nd wave robotics. Once Machine Learning and robotics start working with each other, the Skilled labor will be GONE in commercial building. Architects will start designing, with AI/Robotics in mind, and the only thing left will be Technicians and simple labor. This will not happen in 20 years, but maybe 40-50 for sure. only Custom work will slowly carry on. It happened to the furniture industry, now only skilled carpenters are few and far between making money.

[@slouch92]

Haha you've obviously never been on a work worksite in your life never mind, watch out for those paper cuts.

[@mikewatte4478]

so you first need a nice smooth level path before you build, that's like putting the wheel on the horse

[@22MrBender22]

Tracing/optic software is pretty functional now. Robots can see the work area, assess where to place material/energy and execute their function pretty quickly, eliminating the need for perfect placement and precise consostency.

[@ppilje]

And again, a man must do harder work at the end, to line up mortar, clean it up, take off surplus mortar between bricks. At the end, nothing without man. One most important thing is that mortar (with concrete is similar story - drying lasts, lets say forever, but most important period is 21 days after laying cement on the spot, foundation or wherever, where's advisable to spray water on it occasionally, every day), must dry itself for certain period, usually one day. So, 13 layers of brick (for standard height of 2.5 m averagely, cannot be set so fast - due to mortar drying time. It is wet, and it takes time to stabilize that wall. However, I don't know what kind of glue they're using, but it must be wet, to integrate itself with bricks. But this is a big step forward.

[@meme4one]

I expect when the first cement mixer came to site, tradesman said it wouldn't last or couldn't replace them....

[@deathcapt]

Except it was a tool that assisted trades, not a machine designed to replace them.

[@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

[@tecnomilton7712]

More (multi) arms and really superspeed like a knitting machine

[@ronsoete788]

Bricklayers have been trying to get somebody to do there job as long as i have been in the trade. They dont want to teach their apprentices how to cut brick or block why should they want to teach them how to lay brick or block this way they can just stay home. We got this

[@Z-add]

it should lay 5 bricks at one time. then i can see the speed improvement

[@mfitzpat74]

he said guys would no longer have to lift bricks, eh somebody still has to lift bricks to put onto the machine.

[@commodoresixfour7478]

Now make a brick salvaging robot! Please

[@PaddleDogC5]

post up your jobs cost for units installed.

[@hdconstrucoes1504]

Hello! How much? How to purchase this equipment ?

[@edbo10]

Seems like most people in the comments haven't seen Charlie and the Chocolate factory... remember the bit where Charlie's dad loses his job to a robot? Then he ends up being the guy that _fixes_ the robot? One job lost, at least 2 more created...

[@boraoz5026]

Soon...

[@roshansubah2646]

4 and 5 inches bricks are mix

[@limitless1692]

AWESOME :)

[@del1961]

I would love to see this robot working in a trench building footing in mud and uneven ground.

[@cheersbud328]

Yah, it'd show us robot can't be replaced

[@niconelson3526]

This will never work it needs plastering Bengal lancers

[@peterbird3932]

What kind of name is Sam ? They should have named it Manny, Luigi, Mario or Giuseppe. Also give the robot an extra hand for a smoke.

[@deinemuddadeinemuda7306]

Stryking the Joints he says.....aha...aha

[@seanpolmacdonaill9578]

too slow- what about solider courses; overhanging courses; bulls eyes; radius walls; foundations ;arches;what if the concrete is low one side does it know to bed up ;brick out-of different pallets can be different sizes ;this machine is only going to work in the perfect conditions I'm building 25 years and have yet to see perfect conditions

[@claytonparenteau]

If it's going to b cost effective it would have to move faster and I think I would b cheaper just to use brick layers in long run would b cool toy but still need people for corners jointing plus still need to give it mud bricks stet up cleaning up and does it go on scaffolding or has its own if it does have its own how would u finish the joints cost wise not a good money maker

[@acsljones]

it will come down to cost in the end .always does ,my two and one gang build the shell of a detached house in two and a half weeks all told cutting out waiting for scaffold or joiners.quicker and cheaper than robots .timber frame isnt the answer either for cost or time.cladding is the real enemy of trad. brickies futures.

[@doyle201206]

How can it help the economy and the the skilled worker if they become loaders and pointers, no skill for that and gets lower pay. Plus it is slow as an apprentice.

[@nas155]

Well there goes yet another skilled trade that will take away even more jobs.

[@edbo10]

i really don't get this sort of thinking. You take away the job of bricklaying and end up making jobs to repair and program the robots for each jobsite. Why don't brickies take up programming if they're so afraid?

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

People are too ignorant to see that this process has been happening for generations. Technology replaces old jobs, and creates new jobs. The car replaced the horse and cart and created far more jobs that a horse and cart ever did. The technology sector cannot find enough skilled people, there are literally millions of vacant positions in tech sector.

[@nas155]

It is about more than jobs being replaced. I believe it is about a skill that in time will be lost to many. A art that will be long forgotten.

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

" I believe it is about a skill that in time will be lost to many. A art that will be long forgotten. " Does it matter? The skill only exists out of necessity. If the machine can do it, the human can learn another skill. Brick laying is not art. The art is in the architecture.

[@nazmulslater8398]

i want to work as a bricklayer this robots my worst nightmare for my bricklaying career, the employers might replace bricklayers with these robots in the future

[@ricramirez110788]

Nazmul Slater i know people WAY FASTER than that robot lol way faster

[@davidhoover8877]

Ricardo Ramirez - These people you know?? Can they work 24/7 like a robot can ????

[@fornazaworld1541]

i do as well but machines dont sleep and dont have smoko ive been hearing that they getting house done in 3 days or less that is fast for any bricklayer ive worked with teams of 8 when i use to be a labor and it would take about 3 day to knock of a house so there faster then they look i know brickies who think there fast and they lay any where between 400 and 1000 or so bricks a day and theres anywhere between 12000 and 25000 brick per house if these machines can do that in three days that is impressive dont forget brick layers get good day and bad days machines wont it is more then a possibility that this is the new era for bricklayers all they need now is a labor robot and that it on top of that why pay bricklayers then u can have a machine do all the work its self to be real i hope it never comes to this but its more then possible

[@ricramirez110788]

David Hoover put them both there for about 10 hrs and see how long it would take the bot to catch up... plain and simple

[@SaltVinegar2010]

Ricardo Ramirez Yeah faster than this current robot. But just wait till it becomes more refined & version 2.0 comes along. Then it will be faster & will work 24/7 365 days a year with no lunch breaks.

[@Guns_and_Grunge]

Just wait this thing will one day be able to lay 60 bricks per second

[@Chokladen]

Soonish brought me here

[@mortschubert3909]

Men are needed to clean the mess.

[@wastedbritain8664]

Al food untill you invent a robot his carrier and pointing machine...

[@wastedbritain8664]

Good I meant

[@jozy5154]

Get that machine out of here. Man killer

[@brickit26]

Have it lay 12in block in a ditch, Leave the brick for the craftsmen.

[@colloredbrothers]

The only thing this thing can do is grab a brick and put it down, not worth investing in it tbh. Its far more efficient to pay a few skilled men for laying bricks, that's not to say that the construction industry cannot change and adapt to automation. Houses could be made out of other materials that would be easier to automate a robot for. But engineering a robot to do something that men have been doing for thousands of years is stupid. Why don't think think about new ways of building structures?

[@philipleyton2310]

look at the size of it lol 😂😂😂😂

[@staplejats]

wow... he can lie so well. This machine is a predecessor to the one that will do away with brickies altogether .... for their own good of course. Maybe they can get a job lifting the bricks into the robot, before that's automated as well.

[@deathcapt]

They got this giant fucking machine, someone still has to feed bricks in, AND you have 2-3 guys following along to finish the mortar. What a piece of shit.

[@FunkyCrumpet]

How nice, another machine to take the jobs from the people.

[@MrTomcat124]

Still ned people to do the job? lol. how much to hire per projects? $50,000 ?

[@cloggedcp6961]

looks like brick layers are gonna have to go back and graduate high school

[@angelsuniverse6021]

I see it as more lost than win for the workers...only winners the companies

[@PineberryLive]

Innovation = Jobs becoming more efficient or obsolete = Either less people going into that career, or people loosing their jobs. I fail to see how this is a new concept for you.

[@arbeliroz]

Still need a man to operate it

[@douglasflandermeyer1659]

Costs about the same as 1 back related comp claim. Hhhhmmmmmm.

[@bigears4426]

Robots and computers are fine but at at what point will the inventors realise that people need jobs more than machines , even some shitty jobs ,not everyone can be a doctor or wants to be one

[@jamesh2810]

We'll soon be at a point where we need the jobs more than jobs need us. Hmm. What to do, what to do...?

[@stevesherlock5515]

LMAO at this guy. the robot was laying like a drunk hack.. one of the dumbest things I've ever seen. but you can make one lay all my Big block

[@gosurfirmabudowlana613]

Робот один, а обслуги 5 человек, один оператор, один на замесе раствора, один подает кирпич, двое чистят раствор и швы, подозреваю что один еще нужен чтобы убирать упавший раствор с пола. У меня 2 каменщика и 2 помощника по скорости быстрее положат чем это.

[@dimik3855]

Yeah, and you need three guys to watch that it doesn't screw up. Typical over-engineering. America's fascination of autonomous robotics is not green or creating jobs, it's just another angle for making money.

[@NikeMikey101]

Lol wait till is technology advances. They can 3D print homes without human help. Next is this

[@thefrogfromauz6947]

this is trash compared to the hadrian x

[@ConorMakes]

Sand, that will kill it, every day I go home my pockets have sand in them, it gets under my hard hat, in my boots and down my back to name just a few. Will a machine march on, I think not

[@wastedbritain8664]

Well I e been in the roofing and bricklaying industry for 18 years and I don't go home with pockets full of sand. At worst I have dry hands and a little brick dust down me.

[@gobblenater]

Are you seriously trying to imply humans are more durable than steel?... Of course it will need maintenance but it won't get back pains every day, it won't need breaks every few hours, it won't complain about a little sand.....

[@jonrd21]

he's joking..

[@fornazaworld1541]

a machine dos not rely on stamina we do if it can even match our skill were beat in ever corner sad to say

[@harrymcghee9386]

Albertdog101 h

[@slouch92]

looks like more trouble than its worth.

[@angelsuniverse6021]

Sadly it will get better n better

[@oldmannofoololdmannofool3538]

What is going on? We are trying to make ourselves redundant are we not? The world's population is growing so what a great idea make robots to do our work, marvellous idea! Let's get rid of the wife and husband as well

[@paulcarroll4437]

Let’s not a

[@simonbaier8966]

really a poor solution compared to fbr.com.au This is the really competitive solution for bricklayer shortage

[@jomac2046]

Got to love this bozo's spiel,bottom line less employees less cost.

[@tnk_evil7749]

What is the world coming to! This robot will take away thousands of skilled masons.Not to mention the time this takes to lay one brick most skilled bricklayers can lay 2 or 3 in the time it takes to lay one all its going to do is take away jobs for the people who need it.

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

Actually a skilled brick layer can lay 300 to 500 bricks a day. This robot can lay 800 or more a day. The point is, with the robot working alongside people, construction time is less and productivity is higher. Our objective should be to automate all work so that people don't need to work. We can automate energy and food production, then the only work left to do is to maintain the machines which will not need many people, and is in our self interest since the machines produce our food and energy.

[@VItimmyy]

MeTube actually as a skilled mason myself your numbers are way off that's more of union numbers I would geuss. a skilled mason including myself can lay at least 1000 a day and I do that everyday and on flat walls can hit 1200 a day. that's 7-5 pm. is the robots that time frame or are they talking a full 24 hour day.

[@charliegalanti8765]

that's for hacks that are unskilled

[@robertcohen4721]

Be honest, the worker in tbis scenario has 5 years , max

[@charliegalanti8765]

that thing sucks

[@charlesl21]

Looks like a waste of money so far

[@R0B690]

Theres a reason robots have not over taken physical work. Because nothing can beat human hands and mind. It can help maybe but not take over.

[@R0B690]

David Oakden True they take over many jobs. Though I meant more about trades.

[@R0B690]

***** Yeh thats a good way of putting it

[@IIGrayfoxII]

Car building. Now done by robots. from stamping the sheets and welding the frame All done by robot Even spray painting the car is done by robot. But this robot is slow. A well skilled brickie can apply correct amount of mortar and lay them down even in 35°C heat.

[@R0B690]

***** Good point. Im in Perth too. A lot of people work in 38-40. I have without any extra pay on weekends or overtime. But everyday is not good. I guess it comes down to what will do it better and quicker.

[@isomz638]

*points at auto manufacturing* Oh yeah? Haven't taken over physical work? Robots haven't taken over building, not because humans are magical in some way, but because machines are large and have trouble getting into tight spaces while being able to move material with dexterity. Over the next 50 years you'll see massive changes in that as machines are made more dexterous and building techniques are adjusted to be more accessible to machines. There are other brick laying robots that are MUCH faster (about 1000 bricks per hour) but they don't use mortar they use a construction adhesive.

[@tolitze6521]

The name SAM is sexist. Just waiting for the sexism card :-)

[@kai_unix]

you're saying that slow-ass robot can do a better job than a human? get out.

[@Theateam911]

"good for the economy" Once that thing becomes fully automated he wont have a job. Some how someone convinced this guy that robots create more jobs. Completely false notion.

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

marajlize legaljuana wrote "Some how someone convinced this guy that robots create more jobs. " Actually automation does create more jobs in general. They create more hardware and software jobs. Automation requires highly skilled hardware engineers and computer scientists. Why do you think there is such high demand for computer scientists right now?

[@CORRIGEEN71]

nonsense, why does a simplistic job need a robot

[@toomuchtruth]

Actually, it's simplistic jobs that are best suited to robots. The parameters and tasks can be clearly defined. Now trying to make a robot to compose music like mozart or paint the monalisa however...

[@MMGJ10]

It's not as simplistic of a job as you think. There's so much skill that goes into this trade that most people don't have the slightest clue about. Realistically this robot can only lay straight walls that are long enough to be worth setting this thing up for. Nice decorative brick work... forget about it. did you see the guys straightening the brick the robot laid? lol.

[@jonrd21]

That's the point. One day he'll replace them fully, but for now he is simply helping them by doing the labor-intensive part of the job they don't want to do. I'm sure the brickmasons love working with it. All they have to do is sit back, fix the occasional mistake and make it look pretty.

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

These machines are the future. Automation of any repeatable process is the future.

[@bashisobsolete.pythonismyn6321]

patents. you've got to have a fully functional example in the real world. and you need ongoing R+D, improvements to software, addition of sensors. got to get your hooks in early when it comes to patents.

[@tonygubb3955]

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

[@edbo10]

you know, the guys at ford back in the 1920s said that too...

[@civilinfocenter5497]

What a reply haha

[@angelsuniverse6021]

They win in the time maybe, also the skills of the men n 8 mans works vs 5 u count....sadly as everything this is the open door, with the years will become mere efficiently as all machines did n do.

[@bradleyparker234]

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

[@KungFuChess]

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

[@chrisdrost9801]

It lays 3000+ bricks a day butt there still walking about 4 or 5 guys next to him .that thing on the movie cost a fortune need maintens a lot of different programs for different bonds they said it will be lighter work for the people butt laying the bricks is not the problem. Getting the stones and the mortar where the wall needs to come that the heaviest part of building a brick wall.so those 4 or 5 guys walking around the machine can also lay 3000 plus brick don't cost you a couple of millions!!! And it only can do straight walls if i have to believe the movie .not the real special brickwork.

[@hawaiiguykailua6928]

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.

[@lipsotimakri3280]

that's why everyone on my island in Greece makes fun of Americans.

[@benkleschinsky]

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

[@LanceWinslow]

Great, masons won't need to hire excess illegal immigration labor, but what about aprentiships?

[@SooMuchWc]

See how good it is when the scaffs give you 2 boards to work off

[@lachiekanavan7705]

Great more manual jobs loosed

[@dustinjackson8253]

Can it build a corner or arch? Can it make or measure saw cuts there is a reason they still keep us masons around. If it was that easy my wife and kid would be doing it. Sam is a joke.

[@rroge5]

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

[@IIGrayfoxII]

They get injured because they do not follow Work Health and Safety rules. Most likely about heavy lifting.

[@rroge5]

IIGrayfoxII yeah I worked in a pizza shop and those workers often didn't do it the recommended way

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

Exactly, humans don't follow rules. Algorithms do.

[@agentbertram4769]

That machine has a long way to go before it's of any use. People are still lugging bricks and mortar around and it doesn't skim the seam or point it.

[@wandalambert7981]

This machine takes up way to much space on building sites which in this day and age have less room. Automated bricklaying machines are not a new concept. Just that it seems there are more people these days have more money than sense to invest in them. It never fails to amaze me people who comment, invent these devices have no concept of what problems arise on a building site outside of a robotic arm laying a brick......With any concept, one needs to weigh the positives against the negatives. The list of negatives is long, the list of positives is very short indeed. Tax dodge for investors. Don't let that stop you from watching a well edited video and forming your opinions though.