Check out the thread on the youtube channel. Great discussion, I think.
Zachary: How much do these fast bricklayers cost per hour? $18? $20? $22?
So let’s say this machine costs $1,000,000 for a 30 year life cycle. This would be paid back in less than 27 years, assuming you’re only getting equal work per year, which the robot would likely perform more because no breaks and could work 16 hour shifts with no overtime. And that is assuming they are unable to increase the speed or reduce to cost for a 30 year life cycle. This also doesn’t take into account other reduced costs by not having to have people on the job site.
Not a good reason to block innovation. If your labor is replaced by a robot you need to try to retrain and move to another industry, or do niche work within your existing industry like custom brick work that is too intricate to easily automate. Doesn’t matter if they are both there for 10 hours. The robot could work 20 hours if it had to. The benefit of being able to operate 16-20 hours per day 7 days per week without having to pay it overtime is a MASSIVE reduction in cost.
DethDingo: There will always be a need for brick/stone masons. A robot would be great for commercial buildings, with minimal windows and little detail, but no way a robot can produce the quality and detail on residential houses to replace a mason.
