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How WLTR, a construction robot, evolved from a research project to a scalable construction technology used across Europe.
The construction industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by robotics, digitalization and automation. What once seemed futuristic is now becoming reality on construction sites across Europe. Construction robots have moved from early pilot projects to daily use, helping address skills shortages, accelerate building processes and increase safety and precision on-site.
As a result, wienerberger and its partners from the engineering and university sectors in the Czech Republic began developing the WLTR masonry robot in 2021, a solution that has since evolved from a research prototype into one of the most advanced and scalable construction technologies in the market. Today, WLTR is part of everyday bricklaying practice in the Czech Republic and is rapidly expanding across Europe, demonstrating how automation in construction is reshaping the way buildings are built.
2021–2026
In 2021, wienerberger entered a strategic partnership with leading engineering and academic experts in the Czech Republic to develop an innovative mobile masonry robot. The aim was clear: create an automated construction solution enabling brick buildings to be erected more quickly, safely and efficiently while supporting teams on-site.
The research and development phase started in 2021 and ended in 2023. After its successful completion, wienerberger’s new joint venture GreenBuild deployed the WLTR robot commercially, turning it from a research project into an active bricklaying service.
Since its first deployment, the WLTR technology has scaled rapidly:
Construction robots have moved far beyond experimentation. They have become one of the most relevant construction trends in Europe and a key driver of modernization.
wienerberger saw a high potential of automation in bricklaying in the construction sector. Such solutions enable housing construction projects to be completed faster and more cost-effectively with the added advantage that the technology requires fewer resources and is less labor-intensive.
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WLTR supports bricklaying teams by taking over heavy, repetitive and highly precise tasks. Instead of replacing jobs, WLTR elevates the role from a bricklayer to a trained operator. This leads to:
Robots in construction help meet rising expectations for affordable housing, resource-efficient building, and predictable project timelines.
While the first demonstration projects for research and development already showcased high-quality execution and remarkable speed, WLTR has continued to evolve ever since:
wienerberger, Greenbuild, and KM Robotics continue to improve WLTR, as the potential of automation in construction is growing.
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Early challenges included adapting industrial-robot platforms to outdoor conditions and ensuring cost-efficiency for the market. Both were successfully solved. After its launch in the Czech Republic, WLTR is now being introduced across up to 12 countries.
The robot simplifies construction processes, increases safety and accelerates building progress, making it a valuable addition to growing digital construction ecosystems.
"The potential of automation in construction is growing. Therefore, we are continuously improving the technology of WLTR."
The use of robotics is part of wienerberger’s digitalization strategy. The prefabrication of brick walls and the use of robots on construction sites make construction processes faster, more precise and more sustainable.
By combining robotics, digital planning and prefabrication, wienerberger supports key global challenges:
The market for prefabrication and robotics solutions is growing rapidly. wienerberger will therefore continue to expand the development and use of digital technologies in close cooperation with stakeholders – from construction companies to engineers and architects. "Ideally, we create a win-win situation for all parties involved", says Taghavi. "The team on site also benefits from a healthier, safer and more modern digital working environment."
