An Amsterdam-based technology company is using autonomous robots on local building sites to help address a shortage of skilled construction labor across the Netherlands.
Founded locally, Monumental has developed machines that rely on computer vision and specialized sensors to lay bricks and apply mortar autonomously.
Automated building fleets
The company deploys its hardware as a small fleet on site, dividing duties between three distinct robots named Pisa, Petra, and Panama. While Pisa handles placing the physical bricks and mortar, Petra supplies the masonry materials, and Panama continuously feeds mortar to the working unit.
All three units navigate construction sites alongside human workers, controlled by proprietary planning software that converts architect designs into build-ready operational steps.
Scaling up construction capacity
Rather than selling the machines directly, the firm operates as a subcontractor, taking responsibility for the completed brickwork and absorbing construction risks to help developers manage tight schedules.
So far, the automated systems have built wall structures for more than 100 homes, alongside a school, a hotel, a community center, and hundreds of meters of canal wall across Amsterdam.
While this represents a fraction of the national target to build 100,000 homes annually, the firm aims to expand its operations across Europe to help maintain local construction timelines.
