A 166,000-sf barracks with 300 bedrooms for 600 military personnel is under construction at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois with the help of robots that can lay bricks every seven to 10 seconds and can lift and place foundation blocks weighing up to 135 lbs.
This $52 million project, started last March and scheduled for completion in October 2020, represents the debut of semi-robotic construction for the general contractor Clark Construction Group. Construction Robotics, a Victor, N.Y.-based manufacturer that launched in 2007, is providing the machines, which are called MULE (for Material Unit Lift Enhancer) and SAM (for Semiautomated Mason). Blinderman Constuction is Clark's partner on this project.
This is also the first construction project in the country to use MULE and SAM technology in tandem.
There are currently more than 130 MULEs operating in the field, and 11 SAMs, with more under production, says Scott Peters, president and cofounder of Construction Robotics. His company has worked with more than 80 contractors, from large GCs like Barton Malow and Wilhelm Construction, to local masonry subcontractors like Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors in Michigan and Jimmy āZ Masonry in Crystal Lake, Ill., the latter of which is working on the abovementioned barracks project, and reportedly advocated for the use of robots.
Ā
The SAM robot can lay brick at a pace of one every 7-10 seconds.
Ā
Construction Roboticsā machines have installed more than one million sf of wall, says Peters, whose training is in engineering. His partner, Nate Podkaminer, has a background in architecture and construction.
Tyler Shawcross, Clarkās senior project manager, says that his company first met with Construction Roboticsā principals about five years ago. āOur R&D team is always looking for ways to build smarter,ā he says.
When asked how this technology benefits masons at a time when workers are losing their jobs to automation in many industries, Shawcross notes that masonry, like many other construction trades, is suffering from labor shortages and an aging workforce. Plus, he adds, these trades simply are not attracting younger workers.
Construction Robotics has had a training program for masons in place since 2018. Both Peters and Shawcross agree that the technology not only has the potential for extending the work longevity of masons, but also might entice younger workers to consider entering the profession.
MULEs cost between $70,000 to $80,000 to purchase and are relatively simple to operate. For the barracks project, the MULE grabs the 32-inch blocks (which Oldcastle developed specifically for this job). The mason positions the hoisted block onto the foundation row. āItās like an extension of your hand,ā says Shawcross.
SAMs are more complicated machines that require three-to-five days of training to operate. The machines are generally leased by the week, month, or longer. Peters is reluctant to discuss pricing because, he explains, each project is different and requires customized software coding. (Peters notes that SAMs can be programmed to lay bricks in complex patterns and color sequences.)
To view videos of MULE and SAM in action, click here.
Construction Robotics claims SAMs reduce labor costs by at least 30%. Shawcross couldnāt quantify the time and cost savings from using the robots. He notes, though, that the machines provide a reliable production rate. āWe see it as an opportunity to drive cost certainty into a project. I donāt think itās a large cost reducer, but it could be a scheduling reducer.ā
Peters says that robotics are most effective in construction when they are factored into the building process early in the planning stage. āThatās why we engage with GCs like Clark.ā He concedes, however, that the construction industry in general is slow to change. āCompanies need to think about new technology, and use their money to learn.ā
Shawcross believes that robotics will become more prevalent on jobsites for performing repetitive tasks. Peters says that on another project, a MULE was used to move concrete form panels into place. āItās one of those rare products that provides both speed and safety,ā he says.
Related Stories
AEC Tech | Mar 7, 2018
Interoperability for the building industry ā More wicked problems
This article is a follow up to Nathan Miller'sĀ 2016 articleĀ āThe Wicked Problem of Interoperabilityā.Ā
AEC Tech | Feb 28, 2018
Nine tips to bridge the cybernetic design gap
Unlike other technologies we have seen, augmented and virtual reality are looking to have staying power in a truly disruptive way.
AEC Tech | Jan 29, 2018
thyssenkrupp tests self-driving robot for ālast mileā delivery of elevator parts
āWith driverless delivery robots, we could fill a gap and get spare parts from our warehouses to the jobsite faster,ā said thyssenkrupp SVP Ivo Siebers.
AEC Tech | Jan 25, 2018
Four high-tech solutions to mitigate theft on the jobsite
Geo-fencing and drone surveillance are among the tech solutions for protecting jobsites from asset loss.
BD+C University Course | Jan 2, 2018
The art and science of rendering: Visualization that sells architecture [AIA course]
3D artist Ramy Hanna offers guidelines and tricks-of-the-trade to ensure that project artwork is a stunning depiction of the unbuilt space.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Dec 21, 2017
Interactive map includes detailed information on historic New York City buildings
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission launched a new, enhanced version of its interactive map, Discover NYC Landmarks.
AEC Tech | Dec 20, 2017
6 CFD post-processing tips to improve visualization productivity and quality
Southland Engineeringās Abdullah Karimi offers helpful tips for makingĀ computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models more productive.
Sponsored | Building Team | Nov 3, 2017
4 strategies for marketing your AEC firm
Having a clearly defined competitive brand and a fine-tuned marketing approach can give your firm a significant competitive advantage.
Sponsored | AEC Tech | Oct 19, 2017
3 reasons why your firm needs cloud software
For firms looking to propel their architectural design services to new heights and levels of sophistication, a consolidated cloud-based platform is a valuable asset.
AEC Tech | Oct 6, 2017
How professional bias can sabotage industry transformation
Professional bias can take the form of change-resistant thinking that can keep transformational or innovative ambitions at bay. Tech consultant Nate Miller presents three kinds of bias that often emerge when a professional is confronted with new technology.