Charlotte is basically an eight legged robot made with Earthbuilt Technology that doesn’t use hammers or pull beams; it builds walls layer by layer, turns dirt and waste into homes before sunset twice.
Crest Robotics gave the robot legs that bend and stretch like a spider exploring new territory. These appendages allow the machine to avoid obstacles, climb over half finished flooring and hover exactly where the next layer needs to fall. Charlotte maps the entire site, adjusting for uneven terrain and prints until the job is done.
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Earthbuilt’s contribution is what Charlotte spits out: a mix of sand, local soil and crushed brick or glass that would otherwise end up in landfills. The machine collects this on site, wraps it in fabric for strength and compresses the bundle into a dense paste ready for extrusion. Pumps force this mixture through a nozzle under the robot’s belly, depositing it in controlled ribbons that solidify into flood resistant, fireproof barriers. One full charge can cover the footprint of a small family home, stacking to chest height or higher as the legs raise the body. According to the developers, a full scale version could build a 2,000 sq-ft shelter in 24 hours, equal to 100 workers laying bricks by hand.
Delray Beach is Charlotte’s testing ground where the team is experimenting with the extrusion head to optimize flow rates and cure times. The prototype on display has already built straight walls and basic curves, but the software allows for doors or vents in the middle of a build. Power is provided by rechargeable batteries between shifts so it’s quiet and contained.
Beyond the backyard, Charlotte sees dustier horizons than any earthly plot. Tools that pack compact and build fast are needed for lunar settlements because shipping a full construction kit 240,000 km is nuts. This robot folds into a launch ready bundle, its legs tuck in like a folded map, before unfolding on the grey regolith to print homes from moon dust and regolith simulants.
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