Collective Robotic Construction (CRC) for on-site production and installation of building systems in construction and infrastructure
This research investigates novel methodologies for the planning and autonomous fabrication of service channels, advancing the field of construction automation. Building upon prior work on "Differential Boundary Deposition" (DBD) conducted at the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), this study explores the implementation of an autonomous Collective Robotic Construction (CRC) system.
CRC facilitates the on-demand, automated production of utility networks through a coordinated system of mobile, cooperative robots. These robots autonomously navigate built environments, extruding thermoplastic materials to construct utility conduits. The project adopts a systemic approach to CRC within construction automation, integrating circular material cycles into the built environment to enhance sustainability and efficiency. Notably, the DBD system offers a transformative advantage by enabling the incremental, non- or minimally invasive growth of utility networks, akin to the natural propagation of roots. This capacity to "grow" new systems without necessitating the breaching of existing surfaces mitigates disruption and circumvents the need for extensive retrofitting.
The construction industry is subject to increasing constraints in cost, time, and resource utilization, particularly in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, which remain largely overlooked in automation discourse. In Germany, the escalating demand for MEP systems necessitates extensive and costly retrofits of existing buildings and infrastructure. This research aims to identify key application areas within MEP and related domains where these innovative methodologies can deliver the greatest impact. By addressing these challenges, the project seeks to advance on-site robotic fabrication, promoting a paradigm shift towards circular, cost-efficient, and resource-conscious construction practices.
PROJECT TEAM
ICD Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart
Philipp Kragl, Dr. Samuel Leder, Prof. A. Menges
PROJECT FUNDING
BBSR - Bundesinstitut für Bau- Stadt- und Raumforschung im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung: Forschungsinitiative Zukunft Bau
STRABAG AG - SID Innovation & Digitalisation