Bricklaying robot may create job disruptions in Nigerian construction industry
Robot bricklayers have been created in New York with a view to deliver 3,000 bricks in one. Humans currently lay about 500 in a day in countries of good working environment and about 200 in Nigeria.
The Semi-Automated Mason – or SAM for short – can lay an astounding 3,000 bricks a day in comparison with a construction worker’s average of 500.
It is the creation of New York-based Construction Robotics and has already replaced humans on a handful of sites across America.
It’s made up of a conveyor-belt, mortar pump and robotic arm. One builder helps feed the bricks into the machine, which are picked up by the robotic arm, slathered in mortar, and placed on the wall.
A second worker will smooth over the excess joint mortar. Construction Robotics is bringing its creation to the global construction industry “in coming months” and in discussions with construction companies.
“Robots will soon be on construction sites doing jobs that humans do, but faster.’
Experts say, if the technology arrives Nigeria, it would drive a huge job loss depending on availability of power.
Currently, the Nigerian construction industry has suffered dearth of artisans due to the economic downturn in the country.
Richard Valentine-Selsey, a construction consultant, said it was likely that robots would arrive on British building sites within two years.
