Robot built homes? What do y'all think about it?

Question

They can do one in 60 days (so they say). This could be something if it's for real....

https://www.abc15.com/news/bus...

Devin James · Answer

Hey Bruce Woodruff,

This idea has always intrigued me. Im sure there's some quirks that need to get figured out before this becomes mainstream, but I can definitely see that happening.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

They say they have a huge printer......? But yes, there will be almost the same amount of human labor needed. It needs to be plumbed, wired, attached, etc

Scott E. · Answer

I'm curious exactly how much of the house the robot can 'print.' The article isn't clear on that.

I can't imagine these robots taking on building the pad, digging undergrounds, pouring the foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, insulation, drywall, tape and texture, paint, cabinets, countertops, flooring, etc.

Seems like even if the robots can frame up the house with a 3D printing method, there will always need to be a good amount of manual labor from humans.

Ryan Normand · Answer

@Bruce Woodruff Back to the original topic - I've been waiting for someone to bring up this topic on the forums ever since the BP podcast aired an episode on 3d printed houses. I didn't see much detail about how they're automating things, but I'm usually supportive of anything that boosts efficiency while maintaining quality. Unfortunately with a lot of these new "revolutionary" technologies, I feel like they're only more efficient and cost effective on paper... once you look at the big picture when they're implemented in the field, they're not actually all they're cracked up to be. For example, in the article, they're making their process seem like it's faster, cheaper, and better, which would presumably lead to more competitive pricing... yet $290k-$355k isn't any better than the other new construction homes in CG. Not saying it's good or bad, I just always like to approach flashy new technologies with a healthy dose of skepticism.

What really grinds my gears, though, is the 3d printing advocates who make a case for their technology by bashing traditional wood-framed construction, saying it hasn't evolved in a century and making it seem like anyone who supports it is a Neanderthal. While I think it's possible that 3d printed houses replace a portion of the new construction market in the long term (the technology still has a long way to go IMO), I don't see it overtaking wood framed houses because there are so many benefits - wood framed houses are renewable, fast, relatively cheap, easily modified, can last hundreds of years if constructed/maintained properly, and all of the trades are already trained to work on them. Plus, traditional building methods HAVE EVOLVED in the past century: trusses, gluelams, advanced framing techniques, and Zip systems just to name a few. Sure, they don't make for sexy headlines, but I would argue they are just as impactful as the technologies discussed in the article.

Ryan Normand · Answer

Agree 100%. The only way to reverse the labor shortage is to start teaching kids (and adults for that matter) that the trades are a legitimate, respectable, and often times equally lucrative alternative to college.

Adam Martin · Answer

I watched a video on this where they were building a neighborhood with a machine similar to this.  I like the idea of it to help lower costs and while there will always be a need for tradespeople, this is taking off some of the burden.  I think schools are failing our kids and ultimately society by focusing so much of their success on what % of their students go to college when really a good tradesman will make far more than the average graduate with no debt.  Due to this we are having to get innovative on getting things built and this is a prime example.

Mary Smith · Answer

This is extremely cool, I really hope I get to see it someday! Thanks for sharing

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Completely agree. There is room for new things, but no point in bashing tried and true.....

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Yes. And this will create a whole new category of trades people. Very much a specialty contractor niche....

Robot built homes? What do y'all think about it?

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