Robotic technology company FBR Limited (ASX: FBR) has filed nine new international PCT patent applications covering a range of technologies involved in the next-generation Hadrian X®, bringing the total number of patent families covering the Hadrian X®, DST®, the Fastbrick Wall System® and adjacent outdoor robotics applications utilising FBR’s core technology to more than 40.
The filing of these applications further strengthens FBR’s leading position within the construction robotics space and is in line with the company’s strategy of securing the commercial opportunity for dynamically stabilised placement of product in outdoor, uncontrolled environments through long-term patent protection.
The recent filings capture a number of FBR’s research and development efforts relating to the next-generation Hadrian X®, including the protection of the new modular design and distributed control architecture and the shuttle-based block delivery system that transports blocks from the base of the machine to the laying head, enabling faster block delivery, eliminating block handovers between different modules and opening up avenues to lay or place other materials such as roof tiles.
The next-generation Hadrian X® is far more advanced than its predecessor, with improved lay speed, boom reach, reliability and versatility. The first next-generation Hadrian X® is planned to be shipped to the US in early 2024 to commence commercial activity.
“The intellectual property developed during the design and manufacture of the next-generation Hadrian X® is significant in providing FBR with a strategic moat and an ongoing commercial advantage as we begin to roll out our Wall as a Service® operations in key international markets,” managing director Mike Pivac said.
“Importantly, it is not just the commercial opportunity for our flagship Hadrian X® that is being preserved through our intellectual property strategy but also adjacent applications such as roof tiling and 3D concrete printing that will utilise the core technology of a fully mobile, dynamically stabilised system capable of highly accurate placement of product at distance in uncontrolled environments.
“Our focus continues to be preparing the next-generation Hadrian X® for deployment to the US. The execution of our intellectual property strategy grants us the ability to effectively prioritise our development programs while securing the commercial opportunity for a broad range of applications well into the future.”
