How Did FBR’s Hadrian H04 Set a New Speed Record and Land Key Robot Sales?
FBR Limited has set a new speed record with its Hadrian H04 bricklaying robot and secured its first binding sale of the Mantis welding robot, while advancing its partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries and navigating tight cash reserves.
- Hadrian H04 completes Factory Acceptance Test with record 36 sqm wall per hour
- Non-binding MOU signed for Hadrian unit sale to Fraser Lyne Constructions
- First binding purchase order received for Mantis welding robot in the US
- Successful demonstration and full payment received from Samsung Heavy Industries
- Cash balance tight at $870,000; new R&D finance facilities established
Record-Breaking Performance for Hadrian H04
FBR Limited, the Australian robotics innovator, has announced a significant milestone with its latest Hadrian H04 bricklaying robot. The unit successfully passed its Factory Acceptance Test at the company’s High Wycombe facility, constructing a test structure with 751 blocks at an impressive rate exceeding 285 blocks per hour. This translated into a new record of approximately 36 square metres of wall built per hour using large format Wienerberger Porotherm blocks, surpassing the previous 24.4 square metres per hour set by the earlier H03 model.
FBR has made available unedited footage of the H04 in action, underscoring its confidence in the technology’s capabilities ahead of commercial deployment.
Progress on Commercial Fronts and Strategic Partnerships
In November 2025, FBR signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Fraser Lyne Constructions, a New South Wales builder, for the sale of a Hadrian unit priced at A$7.8 million. This deal aims to address housing demands in the Mid North Coast region, though it remains contingent on financing and subsidy arrangements.
Meanwhile, FBR secured its first binding purchase order for the Mantis welding robot from State Machinery & Equipment Sales in Louisiana, USA. Valued at AUD$990,000, this contract marks a key commercial breakthrough for the company’s large-scale welding technology, with delivery expected in the second half of 2026 following a successful Factory Acceptance Test.
On the industrial collaboration front, FBR completed a successful demonstration of a shipbuilding robot prototype developed for Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders. The company received full payment for Stage 1 of the engineering service agreement and is in ongoing discussions for further development phases.
Corporate Changes and Financial Position
FBR’s December quarter saw notable board changes, with two non-executive directors retiring and a former director rejoining the board. The company also issued over 168 million new shares, raising approximately $650,000 under its $20 million GEM facility.
Financially, FBR reported operating cash outflows of $2.1 million for the quarter, a reduction from the previous quarter’s $3.7 million. The company’s cash balance stood at $870,000 at quarter-end, reflecting ongoing funding pressures. To bolster liquidity, FBR established new R&D tax incentive finance facilities with Radium Capital, drawing down nearly $5.5 million across FY25 and FY26 rebates at 16% interest rates.
Additionally, FBR applied for a grant under the Western Australian Government’s Housing Innovation Fund to support its Hadrian Homes initiative, which aims to deliver standardised homes in under 100 days using automation.
Looking Ahead
CEO Mark Pivac expressed optimism about the company’s momentum, highlighting the early binding order for Mantis and the record-setting performance of Hadrian H04. However, the company’s limited cash runway and reliance on financing arrangements underscore the critical importance of converting these technological advances and partnerships into sustained commercial success.
Bottom Line?
FBR’s technological strides are promising, but its near-term financial sustainability hinges on securing further funding and delivering on commercial contracts.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the non-binding MOU with Fraser Lyne Constructions convert into a firm sale and deployment?
- How will FBR manage its cash flow given the limited runway and high financing costs?
- What are the prospects and timelines for the next stages of the Samsung Heavy Industries partnership?
