Brick-laying robot makes tradies redundant

This brick-laying robot could become Enemy No.1 on construction sites around the country.

Called the semi-automated mason, or SAM, the tradie-replacing machine is the work of US-based company Construction Robotics (who may have some bricks hurled through their window, possibly by a brick-hurling robot, in retaliation for inventing this thing).

Patient, methodical SAM has been in operation for a couple of years but came to the internet’s attention when a gif of him in action was posted to Reddit.

This video was filmed at a construction project in Rolla, Missouri.

Commenters pointed out that while the machine is slower than human, it can also work 24 hours a day without taking breaks or getting sick.

Yeah, but can it slam down a convenience store meat pie and 500ml of chocolate milk at 6am? Didn’t think so.