Automation and using robotic means allows increasing industry efficiency, including construction. At the same time, important factors of applying such means are profitability and adaptability. The paper considers the basic parameters influencing the economic and technological efficiency of applying mobile bricklaying robots. The main aspects for comparing manual and automated labor are showed based on the acting standards and technical features of operation of such robots. It is offered to use a coefficient showing the ratio of brickwork volumes for bearing walls and for partitions of a constructed object for evaluation of efficiency of applying a bricklaying robot. As most buildings differ from each other, the modeling software for automated evaluation economic and technological parameters of construction is offered. Such software will include a model of operation of a bricklaying robot and will evaluate efficiency of different combinations of manual and automated labor during bricklaying.

The paper considers increasing effectiveness of construction of bricks and blocks by applying mobile masonry robots. On the example of a specific object, the rates for its construction using manual labor and robotic means are considered. The results show that applying robotic means allows reduce costs for bricklaying 3-7 times in comparison with manual labor depending on method of accruing salaries. Other positive effects of using bricklaying automation, such as reducing construction time, increasing the quality of the result and simplification of staff management, are considered.

To integrate innovations into practice, their effectiveness is of critical importance, especially when compared to previous generation technologies. The article discusses the two main aspects of the effectiveness of mobile bricklaying robots, as a technical system on one hand, and as a technology for organizing construction production on another. Efficiency of operation of automated building systems should be considered on the basis of synergistic analysis of these two factors. Study of feasibility of using such systems in organization of construction production is carried out taking into account the construction technology and the principles of construction organization. The efficiency of a robot as a technical system is assessed based on the efficiency of its use of energy and working time. The use of digital drives and optimization of design and algorithmic solutions are considered as means of increasing the energy efficiency of mobile bricklaying robots. A more complete use of working time is also proposed to be achieved through a combination of design and algorithmic solutions and the organization of the movement of material assets at a construction site.

Automation of bricklaying using mobile robots requires new solutions in many spheres, including developing new algorithms. A mobile bricklaying robot moving at a construction site is considered as a task of planning its trajectory. The task is partly similar to passing a maze but has some distinctive features. Analysis of required movements and analysis of structure of a typical masonry plan allows create an approach to building a moving algorithm for a bricklaying robot. The developed algorithms consist of two separate algorithms, one for moving while directly building walls, another for fast and effective travelling between two points of a map without laying bricks. The developed algorithm has to be tested for different masonry plans and may be optimized in the described ways.

The article discusses the concept of “breakthrough technologies” and its criteria in relation to a bricklaying robotic system. In order to become a breakthrough, a new technology must be able to deeply integrate into the relevant industry. This requires the fulfillment of a number of criteria, both technical and beyond. Therefore, a number of such criteria have been formulated for a mobile robotic bricklaying system to assess the degree of compliance with industry requirements and readiness to become a breakthrough innovation. Also the systemic problems hindering the implementation of the technology in the construction industry are considered. The developed approach can also be used for other technical systems and complexes that require significant development costs and at the same time offer some innovative approaches to solving the problems in their fields.