Few categories are as likely to be disrupted by automation as construction. In the United States alone, this industry is worth approximately $2 trillion annually. Much of that work is difficult, repetitive, and sometimes dangerous. This is the problem that industrial robots were created to solve. Another problem that construction brings is that it presents a variety of challenges. This means that more startups can operate in this space without direct competition.
Bricklaying robots are not an untapped concept. Currently, Hadrian X is probably the most well-known player in this field. The American company specializes in building structures from large concrete brick blocks. Meanwhile, Amsterdam-based Monumental specializes in the more familiar ocher varieties.
The startup was founded in 2021 by the two people behind data visualization company Silk (now a Palantir joint venture). Monumental has already been conducting limited pilot work in the Netherlands, including a 15-metre exterior building on its headquarters building. Partnerships with 25 contractors followed, including those for low-income housing.
We can't say much about the efficiency of the system beyond what we've seen in some video demos, but we can say that the company appears to be tackling the problem on multiple fronts, starting with autonomous carts designed to carry heavy loads. Payload. From there, another robot spreads liquid mortar and lays the bricks.
“At Monumental, we are committed to helping the industry meet these challenges,” said Salar al Khafaji, Co-Founder and CEO. “Our agile, intelligent and adaptable robots and software combine human expertise and robotic efficiency in a way never before seen in the industry.”
To celebrate its coming out party, Monumental also announced a sizable $25 million round led by Plural and Hummingbird, with participation from Northzone, Foundamental, and NP-Hard Ventures.
The funds will be used for hiring, scaling up manufacturing and diversifying brick/block methods that robots can process.