FBR Limited (ASX:FBR) has successfully completed construction of a demonstration home in the United States using its Hadrian X® bricklaying robot. The home, built for PulteGroup’s DiVosta Homes in Fort Myers, Florida, was constructed to showcase FBR’s robotic construction capabilities in the U.S. market.
The project took place within the TerraWalk community at Babcock Ranch, with the Hadrian X® completing the structural walls for a single-storey “Mystique” series home. The demonstration was aimed at proving the viability of robotic bricklaying technology to PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM), one of the largest homebuilders in the United States.
Expanding robotic construction in the U.S.
FBR’s Managing Director and CEO, Mike Pivac, described the project as an important milestone:
“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to demonstrate the capability of the Hadrian X to another industry leader in the U.S. market in PulteGroup. Building for a tier 1 builder is an important target for FBR in the U.S., and we have now done this. Similar pain points are being experienced by builders in the U.S. as they are in Australia, with high demand for new homes and a scarcity of labour to build them.”
PulteGroup Executive Vice President and COO Matt Koart highlighted the company’s interest in integrating robotics into homebuilding:
“This achievement shows PulteGroup is serious about intelligently leveraging innovation to drive greater efficiency in homebuilding. Our industry faces challenges when it comes to labour availability and the need to build more efficiently and sustainably. We see opportunities to integrate technologies that can improve construction quality and safety, while creating exceptional homes for our customers.”
FBR’s Hadrian X® and future prospects
FBR specialises in Dynamic Stabilisation Technology® (DST®), which enables robots to perform precision work outdoors. The Hadrian X® is the company’s flagship bricklaying robot, offering faster, safer, and more sustainable wall construction compared to traditional manual methods.
The company’s Wall as a Service® model provides on-demand robotic bricklaying services for builders, addressing labour shortages and improving efficiency.
The successful U.S. demonstration is expected to enhance FBR’s prospects for expanding partnerships in North America, where homebuilders are facing similar challenges to those in Australia.
