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Few category are as ripe for mechanization - fueled disruption as construction . The industry is value at around $ 2 trillion a yr , in the U.S. alone . Much of that piece of work is straining , repetitive and sometimes dangerous — on the dot the form of problems industrial robotics are build to solve . The other thing construction brings is a wide range of different challenges , meaning that more startups can control in the space without being in direct contention .
Bricklaying robots are n’t exactly an untapped concept . At the moment , Hadrian X is probably the well screw player in the quad . The U.S. firm differentiate in make structures out of large concrete masonry stoppage . Amsterdam - basedMonumental , meanwhile , specializes in the more familiar red Lucius Clay variety .
The startup was ground in 2021 by the span behind information visualization firm Silk ( now a Palantir join ) . monolithic has already been doing limited pilots in its native Netherlands , include the 15 - meter exterior of an office building . Partnerships with 25 contractors have follow , include low - income living accommodations .
I ca n’t speak much to the efficacy of the arrangement beyond what I ’ve see in some video demos , but can say that the company is likely take on the trouble from a kind of fronts , beginning with an sovereign handcart contrive to shoulder fleshy payloads . From there , another golem overspread smooth mortar and places bricks .
“ At Monumental , we ’re working to facilitate the industry assemble these challenge , ” say co - founder and CEO Salar al Khafaji . “ Our agile , well-informed , and adaptable robots and software blend human expertise with robotic efficiency in a fashion that the industry has never seen before . ”
To celebrate its come - out party , Monumental is also announce a sizeable $ 25 million rhythm , led by Plural and Hummingbird , with participation from Northzone , Foundamental and NP - Hard Ventures .
Funding will go toward hiring , scaling manufacturing and diversifying the style of bricks / blocks its robots are open of handle .
