Charlotte's spider-like design allows autonomous assembly of structures under extreme conditions. Crest Robotics Founding Director Dr Clyde Webster explained that the robot eliminates the need for heavy hydraulic machinery, which is impractical on the Moon, and instead uses dynamic robotic design for versatility and efficiency. "Charlotte is a modern approach to machine development, embodying the new 'dynamics' approach to robotic design," Webster said.
On Earth, Charlotte's partnership with Earthbuilt's extrusion and compaction system enables construction of a 200m2 home in one day with no carbon emissions. The method sources local raw materials such as sand, soil, or recycled debris, binding them with fabric to form walls in a single streamlined process. Earthbuilt CEO Jan Golembiewski emphasized that the approach drastically reduces supply chain costs and energy use. "Making a simple brick, for example, requires around 50 different processes and inputs. By contrast, Earthbuilt's technology uses only three: earth, fibre and energy," he noted.
The system can accelerate construction speeds by 1,500 to 5,000 times over conventional techniques. It also delivers flood- and fireproof structures while drawing on Indigenous traditions of building from natural surroundings. Once a structure is dismantled, the environment returns to its original state, leaving no trace.
The collaboration addresses both Australia's housing crisis and future lunar settlement strategies. With construction productivity at historic lows, the partners argue their solution is timely. They are inviting further collaboration to refine and scale Charlotte for terrestrial housing and space missions.
Related Links
Crest Robotics and Earthbuilt Technology
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more
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