Meet SAM, the bricklaying robot

Meet metal-muscled SAM, the bricklaying robotic assistant of the future. SAM, short for Semi-Automated Mason, was developed by Construction Robotics, a small business funded by the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research program. SAM works alongside masons to install bricks, making the humans’ jobs less backbreaking. It is designed to increase productivity and reduce heavy-lifting burdens on construction crews. Masons set SAM up and work alongside it, continuing to use their knowledge and skills while letting the robot handle the repetition and physical labor. Business co-founder Scott Peters hopes this new technology will attract new talent to the industry and ultimately boost the U.S. economy by adding jobs. NSF provides early stage R&D funding to small businesses such as Construction Robotics to help them move their innovative ideas into the marketplace. To learn more about NSF SBIR/STTR programs, visit: To learn more about Construction Robotics, visit: