The construction sector, a $2 trillion a year industry in the U.S. alone, is fraught with various strenuous, repetitive, and sometimes dangerous tasks, making it ripe for disruption through automation. The industry’s diverse challenges provide an opportunity for multiple startups to operate within the same space without direct competition.
The niche of brick-laying robots is not untouched. Presently, Hadrian X, a U.S.-based company known for using large concrete masonry blocks to construct structures, is a leading player in this domain. Conversely, the Amsterdam-based startup Monumental focuses on the traditional red clay bricks.
Monumental was established in 2021 by the founders of a data visualization firm, Silk (now part of Palantir). The startup has already undertaken limited pilot projects in its home country, the Netherlands, including a 15-meter exterior of an office building. They have also formed partnerships with 25 contractors, which includes low-income housing projects.
While evidence regarding the system’s efficiency is limited to some video demonstrations, the company appears to be addressing the problem through various approaches. Their solution involves an autonomous cart that is engineered to carry heavy payloads, followed by another robot applying liquid mortar and placing bricks.
CEO Salar al Khafaji remarks that Monumental aims to help the industry meet its challenges, by combining human proficiency with robotic efficiency using their adaptable, intelligent robots and software – an approach not previously witnessed in the industry.
On the occasion of its launch, Monumental announced a major funding round of $25 million, backed by Plural and Hummingbird, with participation from Northzone, Foundamental, and NP-Hard Ventures. The funds are intended to be spent on recruitment, scaling up manufacturing, and diversifying the types of bricks/blocks the robots can handle.
