Crest Robotics, in partnership with Earthbuilt Technology, has unveiled a six-legged robot named Charlotte that could transform both housing on Earth and future construction in space. The spider-like machine is essentially a mobile 3D printer, designed to build a full 200 square meter home in just one day.
At its core, Charlotte uses a process called automated earthbagging, which combines locally sourced clay, sand, and aggregate into compacted layers that form structural walls. Unlike traditional concrete, the material cures within 72 hours and hardens to a sandstone-like consistency, making it both strong and fast to set. “We intend to build the walls of the house within a day,” said Dr. Claude Webster, founding director of Crest Robotics. “This technology removes the heavy labor from earth bagging and makes it possible to move really quickly and safely.”
Dr. Webster also emphasized the human benefits of automation in construction. He noted that traditional earth bagging is extremely labor-intensive and often unsafe. By using robotic assistance, Crest Robotics hopes to create safer conditions for workers while at the same time speeding up productivity. “We’ve got more work than we could possibly do,” he said, pointing to Australia’s housing crisis. “As we bring these technologies to market, we can actually increase accessibility of these jobs to the broader community while protecting people from the most dangerous work.”
Unlike other 3D printing systems that rely on expensive specialty materials, Charlotte’s method uses low-cost, locally available resources such as sand and clay. This approach drastically reduces supply chain risks and makes the process highly cost-effective compared to conventional building methods. It also represents a new way of thinking about 3D printing in construction, combining automation with natural, sustainable materials instead of plastics or concrete.
While 3D printing is already gaining traction in construction, this approach marks the first time earthbagging has been automated. The system uses air pressure to deliver bulk material to the robot, drastically increasing productivity and reducing reliance on conventional supply chains. Because the raw materials can be sourced on-site or from nearby quarries, the process also lowers costs and minimizes carbon emissions.
The team sees Charlotte as a response to multiple challenges. On Earth, it addresses Australia’s ongoing housing crisis, where productivity has stagnated and demand far outpaces supply. In space, Charlotte’s lightweight, foldable design and reliance on local materials could support future lunar bases where transporting traditional building supplies is impossible.
Charlotte will be showcased at the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, where Crest Robotics and its partners hope to attract collaborators to scale the technology. With its potential to deliver affordable, low-carbon housing on Earth and sustainable construction in space, the robot represents a bold step forward in 3D printed architecture.
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*All Photo Credits: Crest Robotics