Robot technology lent a helping hand in the construction of The Brook, a 52-story, 600-foot mixed-use residential skyscraper rising at the corner of Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.
The development’s general contractor, Suffolk, deployed a four-legged tool — Spot the robot dog — designed by engineering and robotics company Boston Dynamics to help get the project off the ground faster and more efficiently.
Advanced technology like Spot allows companies such as Suffolk — one of the leading construction firms in the country — to streamline operations and maximize efficiency on job sites. The robotic canine serves as a data collection tool, focusing on safety, scheduling, accuracy and overall site productivity. It helps workers use their time more efficiently by taking over menial and repetitive tasks that once required human effort.
Some of Spot’s responsibilities include capturing 360-degree photos and videos and collecting precise 3D data through laser scanning of both the interior and exterior, helping monitor construction progress. Because Spot operates autonomously, the agile robot can also detect health and safety hazards in areas that may be inaccessible or dangerous to workers.
Adam Fyrer, a construction technology deployment associate at Suffolk, focuses on implementing innovative tools on job sites. He said the automated solution has freed up time for workers to focus on other critical tasks.
“That’s where the real value is,” Fryer said. “[Spot] is taking away a routine task that is very meticulous, and on a job site like this, can take up to, like, an hour to two hours to do. And Spot can do that completely, remotely, and autonomously.”
Before deploying Spot to a construction site, Suffolk evaluates whether the site is the “right fit” for the robot, which is also capable of climbing stairs.
“Some of the criteria we look for are large-scale campus projects, accessibility — if sequencing of the stairwells is going to be correct,” Fryer said. “Typically, it’s used on large-scale projects or campus projects.”
Joseph Lomonaco, Suffolk’s staffing superintendent, said Spot has made construction much easier.
“Spot makes our jobs a lot easier while we’re doing the coordination and going through the job to analyze stuff that we might miss,” he said. “That thing picks up everything.”
Designed by Beyer Blinder Belle and developed by the Witkoff Group and Apollo Global Management, leasing is now open at The Brook — a luxury building offering 591 residences, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments.
The sleek, modern units feature keyless entry, white oak flooring, in-unit washers and dryers, custom color shades, energy-efficient appliances, and central heating and cooling with smart thermostats.
Amenities include concierge service, an outdoor pool with skyline views — complete with cabanas, loungers and grilling areas — as well as a lounge and outdoor dining terrace, fitness center, basketball and pickleball court, dog run and spa, and a children’s playroom.
A housing lottery for 178 affordable units opened June 4 through NYC Housing Connect for eligible applicants earning between $64,766 and $227,500.
