Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Bricklaying today is still mostly done by people. In fact, official job descriptions show masons “mix … mortar” and use plumb lines by hand ^[1]. Robotics researchers note that laying bricks is repetitive (a good fit for automation) but past robots have only been used in special cases ^{[2] [2]}.

Commercial systems like Construction Robotics’ SAM100 or Fastbrick’s Hadrian X can place rows of bricks on large walls, but they need flat, prepared sites and do not handle corners or uneven layouts. For routine tasks, masons use modern tools: e.g. laser levels to mark straight lines and keep walls plumb ^[3]. Emerging tech like augmented-reality (AR) systems can guide a mason’s work.

One study showed an AR tool that lets bricklayers see digital guides on the job – achieving “the same … precision” as a robot while still preserving the mason’s craft ^[2]. In short, many parts of the job use human skill, aided by gadgets like lasers or AR. Full bricklaying by AI/robot is just a small part of the industry now ^{[2] [2]}.

Adopting AI robots in masonry is slow mostly because of cost and complexity. Experts point out that bricklaying machines are very expensive and hard to set up, which keeps small contractors from using them ^[2]. These robots also struggle with real-world variation (mis-sized bricks, uneven ground, etc.) ^[2].

For example, one review warns that while robots can work in “controlled conditions,” they fail in unpredictable jobsite situations ^[2]. Other reasons to delay AI here include worker resistance and safety rules ^[2]. On the plus side, the construction industry is facing a worker shortage (“more demand than supply” of masons ^[4]), which could push companies to try new tools.

But for now, builders often find that the high price and setup outweigh the benefits. In practice, that means masons, with their hands-on judgment and creativity (for example, fixing a misaligned brick or adjusting mortar consistency) remain essential. Automation in this field is mostly augmentation – machines and software help skilled bricklayers work better – rather than replacement.