What is robotic demolition?

Safe, efficient robotic demolition for tight or high-risk environments with brokk machines.


At Prime Cut Diamond Drilling, we’re proud to offer robotic demolition services using industry-leading Brokk remote-controlled machines. These powerful, compact units allow us to carry out demolition in areas that are too tight, dangerous, or sensitive for traditional methods — with no compromise on power or precision.


What is Robotic Demolition?


Robotic demolition involves the use of remotely operated machines to break out concrete, masonry, brickwork, and other hard materials. Unlike handheld tools or large excavators, robotic machines are:

  • Operated via remote control
  • Compact enough to fit through doorways and lift shafts
  • Designed for low-vibrationlow-emission, and high-efficiency work


Brokk is the market leader in this technology — with a full range of machines suitable for everything from tight internal risers to large-scale industrial demolition.


Where Is It Used?

Robotic demolition is ideal for:

  • Internal strip-outs and soft demolition before major refurbishments
  • High-risk environments like tunnels, kilns, processing plants, and power stations
  • Restricted access sites where larger plant can’t reach
  • Projects needing low-vibration work near sensitive structures or equipment
  • Above-ground floors in buildings with load-bearing limitations
  • Breaking out floor gulleys after saw cutting — when two parallel cuts have been made and the central section of concrete needs to be safely removed


For example, after sawing twin channels in a floor slab for drainage or cable runs, a Brokk machine can break out the central trench cleanly and efficiently, with minimal risk to surrounding finishes or structures.


 

Types of Brokk Machines for robotic demolition


Brokk offers a wide range of remote-controlled demolition robots, each designed for different site conditions, access limitations, and demolition scopes. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used models in the industry:

🔹 Brokk 70

  • Ultra-compact and lightweight
  • Fits through standard doorways (only 597mm wide)
  • Ideal for indoor workresidential buildingshospitals, and confined spaces
  • Suitable for delicate floors with low load capacity

🔹 Brokk 110

  • Small but powerful
  • Great for tight spaces like basementsstairwells, or lift shafts
  • Commonly used for floor slab removalinternal blockwork, and non-structural walls

🔹 Brokk 170

  • A solid mid-range machine offering a good balance of size and power
  • Suitable for medium-duty concrete demolitionwall openings, and internal strip-outs
  • Can operate a variety of attachments like breakers, buckets, and crushers

🔹 Brokk 300 / Brokk 500

  • Larger units built for heavy-duty concrete breaking and structural removal
  • Often used in industrial plantsbridge decks, and external demolition
  • Can handle high-impact tools like hydraulic breakersscabblers, and grapples


Each machine is electric-powered, offering:

  • Zero emissions (ideal for indoor or sensitive environments)
  • Low vibration and noise
  • Remote control operation for improved safety and access in dangerous or restricted areas


Our Robotic Demolition Services


At Prime Cut, we provide:

  • Full robotic demolition packages using Brokk demolition equipment
  • Site assessments to determine access, weight restrictions, and machine requirements
  • Skilled, certified operators trained to work in live or sensitive environments
  • Concrete bursting and crunching
  • Coordination with your team for safe, sequenced demolition 


Whether you’re breaking out concrete in a tight riser, removing slabs above finished floors, clearing out a pre-cut chase / trench, or prepping a site for structural alterations — robotic demolition offers a faster, safer alternative to manual methods.


Safety First with robotic demolition - Always

Because robotic demolition keeps operators at a distance, it’s safer than manual methods — especially in high-risk or overhead applications. Every job we carry out follows strict site-specific RAMSdust suppression, and permit controls, particularly in live buildings.


Want to learn more or get a quote?

We’re happy to advise on what Brokk setup suits your job, or work with your project team to plan safe access, logistics, and timelines.


July 8, 2025
Drilling fire-rated walls or floors? Understand how BS 476 applies to ducts, cables, and penetrations—and what Prime Cut’s role covers on-site.
BS EN 1366
July 8, 2025
Drilling through fire compartments? Learn how BS EN 1366 applies to ducts, pipes, and cables—and what Prime Cut handles in fire-compartment work.
drilling holes for containment
July 8, 2025
Precise wall and floor drilling holes for cable containment. Compliant with BS 7671 and fire safety regs. Ideal for hospitals, offices, and data centres.
A drill bit is being used to drill a hole in a concrete wall.
By Prime Cut Diamond Drilling September 15, 2023
When it comes to precision drilling in the construction and engineering sectors, diamond drilling stands out as a premier method. But what is diamond drilling, and why is it hailed as a groundbreaking technique in the industry? Let’s dive deep into this advanced drilling process and shed light on its significance for those searching “What...
A man wearing a hard hat and ear muffs is talking on a cell phone.
By Prime Cut Diamond Drilling September 4, 2023
In the wake of the recent revelations surrounding the RAAC concrete crisis, public concern has understandably skyrocketed. As the Managing Director of MH Diamond Drilling, I feel compelled to address these concerns, not just as a business leader, but as a member of the community who shares the same worries about the safety and wellbeing...
A construction site with a lot of bricks and scaffolding.
By Prime Cut Diamond Drilling February 21, 2022
Works completed in Feb 2022. We were requested by our client to remove the concrete canopy and columns to the front of Number 1 Knightsbridge by means of Controlled Demolition. We used a 330 Robotic demolition machine (Brokk) to crunch down the concrete and finished of with a track saw cut to leave a smooth.
A man wearing a yellow vest and a hard hat is standing in a room.
By Prime Cut Diamond Drilling June 12, 2019
Statistically, construction is the most dangerous job to have in the UK. Out of all fatal injuries at work, construction workers make up over a quarter of these deaths. Construction is also one of the largest industries in the UK, employing more people than other sectors, but the rate of deaths is still disproportionately large.
A person is using a machine to drill a hole in the ground
By Prime Cut Diamond Drilling November 29, 2018
Since its inception, diamond drilling has been a fundamental part of the mining industry and subterranean exploration in general. Without the vital information gathered from core samples, mines all over the world could not be explored or worked. On top of this, many of the world’s largest structures, such as buildings, bridges and dams, could.
A large building with a lot of windows and a balcony.
By Prime Cut Diamond Drilling August 28, 2018
The requirement of the project was to remove areas of York stone steps to the front entrance of the museum without damaging them, so that they could be reused. Our suggested method was to diamond saw cut using power hydraulic hand-held saws. Firstly, we used a pre-cut saw with a maximum cutting depth of 150mm,...
A drill is being used to drill a hole in the ground.
By Prime Cut Diamond Drilling May 15, 2018
Ever wanted to know more about the role of water in diamond drilling? Watch our video to learn about the benefits of water to the process of Diamond Drilling.   [transcript] Diamond drilling is a no-mess technique that avoids the production of unhealthy dust clouds. Quite simply, the use of water is key during many.
Show More