Tackling the housing crisis: Spider-like robot aims to 3D-print homes in just one day
Australia has launched an innovative construction project aimed at solving two major global challenges. At its core is Charlotte – a spider-like 3D printing robot that can build a complete house within just 24 hours.
The technology is being developed by Crest Robotics in collaboration with Earthbuilt Technology. The system is based on a six-legged hexapod design, giving the robot mobility on uneven ground. Charlotte is designed to work autonomously, be compact for easy transport and use local materials like sand, soil or rubble directly on site. These are compacted and layered using the earthbagging method.
A production-ready version of the robot does not exist yet. At the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney (September 29 to October 3), only a scaled-down demonstrator was presented to showcase the core idea. Key functions such as material processing, 3D printing and movement have been developed conceptually but haven’t been implemented at full scale. A commercially viable model is still years off.
Areas of application: Housing on earth, bases in space
On Earth, Charlotte could help address the housing crisis through fast, affordable and low-emission construction. In space, the same technology could enable the building of lunar bases using local regolith. Thanks to its compact and foldable design, the robot is easy to transport and well suited for remote or hard-to-access areas. This opens up new opportunities not only for space missions but also for disaster relief and reconstruction.
Not without competition
Charlotte faces tough international competition. U.S. companies like ICON are already working with NASA on lunar construction, while AI SpaceFactory is developing 3D printers for building in space. Still, with its focus on mobility and the sustainable use of local materials, Charlotte aims to establish its own distinct position.
Crest Robotics promotes a human-centered approach. Instead of replacing existing jobs, the robot is intended to create a new role – the "robotics operator" – who monitors the system, ensures quality and makes key decisions. The project places a strong focus on safety, diversity and reducing physical strain in the workplace.
Source(s)
Crest Robotics via ABC Interview
Image source: Crest Robotics
