A robotic construction unit comprising a processor, a plurality of battery modules, and a plurality of magnetic modules. The processor is operable to control the operation of the magnetic modules. Each battery module is operable to provide power to at least one of the processor and a magnetic module of the plurality of magnetic modules. Each magnetic module is operable to alternatively establish magnetic attraction to a magnetic module of an adjacent robotic construction unit or establish magnetic repulsion to the magnetic module of the adjacent robotic construction unit.