German robot works at construction site, helps humans to build wall

A German robot developed by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is assisting humans on a construction site by precisely placing bricks to build a climate-optimized wall. The robot, equipped with a gripper and mounted on a mobile base, can move along a 4 x 2.5 meter wall and uses a digital twin of the structure to integrate assembly logic directly into the design process. This collaboration enhances precision beyond human capability without replacing skilled craftsmen, instead complementing their work. Apprentices working alongside the robot have adapted to this new method, highlighting that collaborative robotics expands craftsmanship rather than displacing it. The project emphasizes simpler, sustainable construction using only bricks arranged in multiple layers to create a thicker, climate-resilient wall. Different types of bricks—weather-resistant clinker on the outside and insulating perforated bricks inside—are used to improve durability and insulation. This monomaterial approach also facilitates easier dismantling and reusability, aligning with goals for sustainable urban building envelopes informed by climatic simulations