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SAM
Book

SAM

One Robot, a Dozen Engineers, and the Race to Revolutionize the Way We Build

Jonathan Waldman
Avid Reader Press, 2020
First Edition: 2020

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Eye Opening
  • Engaging

Recommendation

SAM, the semi-autonomous mason, was the world’s first bricklaying robot, but technical and human obstacles impeded its acceptance in the traditional construction industry. In this engaging read, journalist Jonathan Waldman describes SAM’s trial-and-error path of experimentation, mistakes and lessons learned. Construction Robotics, which built SAM, simplified its operations and increased its reliability and speed – from laying a brick every 50 seconds to installing one faster than every nine seconds.

Take-Aways

  • In 2013, a robot called SAM correctly laid bricks at a demonstration site. 
  • Construction Robotics worked with other firms and technical schools to build SAM’s prototype and develop a marketing plan.
  • The company demonstrated SAM’s value in a dozen construction projects before the industry embraced it.

About the Author

Jonathan Waldman’s first book, Rust: The Longest War, was a Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year.

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