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Building robotics design for construction

Design considerations and principles for mobile systems

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Abstract

We present the design process parameters and considerations relevant to developing robotic systems for building construction. Three strategies for integrating industrial robotics are identified: (a) prefabrication systems for off-site operations; (b) mobile platforms for on-site operations; and (c) embedded designs for adaptive integration onsite. In this paper, we focus on the design of our mobile systems. We highlight the challenges pertaining the design of those systems and offer recommendations that may support improved future designs and wider adoption of robotics in the architecture, engineering, and the construction industry. Overall, if we are to address applications in the building construction, we need first to overcome current limitations of industrial-oriented robotic systems. This implies higher flexibility and rapid adaptation to varied tasks performed potentially under volatile environmental conditions. Our work aims to create building blocks and case studies, including hardware and software components, towards a new way of end-production which will sooner than later transform the way we think and produce architectural design.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore, 487372, Singapore

    Stylianos Dritsas & Gim Song Soh

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  1. Stylianos Dritsas
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  2. Gim Song Soh
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Correspondence to Stylianos Dritsas.

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Research Organization I. SUTD-MIT International Design Centre, SU-IDC Infra Task 6., DManD RGDM 1520101. Agency of Science, Technology and Research, A\(*\)STAR SERC 1225100005.

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Dritsas, S., Soh, G.S. Building robotics design for construction. Constr Robot 3, 1–10 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41693-018-0010-1

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