Articles tagged with "construction-technology"
All3 launches AI and robotics to tackle housing construction - The Robot Report
All3, a London-based company, has emerged from stealth mode to introduce an AI- and robotics-driven building system aimed at addressing the growing housing shortage in Europe and North America amid a severe skilled labor deficit. The company’s vertically integrated approach combines AI-powered custom building design, automated manufacturing, and robotic assembly, primarily using structural timber composites. This system streamlines construction processes from initial design to final build, enabling faster development, significant cost reductions, and improved sustainability and affordability. All3’s technology is particularly suited for complex urban brownfield sites, where irregular shapes and limited access pose challenges to traditional construction methods. The construction industry has historically underinvested in innovation, spending less than 1% of revenues on R&D compared to 4.5% in sectors like automotive, resulting in reliance on outdated, labor-intensive processes. Europe alone faces a shortage of 4.2 million construction workers, a gap expected to widen as many skilled workers retire. All3’s CEO, Rodion Shish
roboticsartificial-intelligenceconstruction-technologyautomationbuilding-materialssustainable-housingAI-in-constructionNew remote-controlled giant robotic saw slices rocks like butter
The KUKA Catonator is a groundbreaking remote-controlled robotic saw designed to revolutionize cutting in construction, shipbuilding, and heavy manufacturing. Mounted on the KUKA FORTEC KR 480 Ultra robotic arm, it features powerful spindle blades ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 mm in diameter, enabling it to slice through tough materials such as steel, concrete, and complex composites with high precision. The saw boasts a payload capacity of up to 300 kg and a reach exceeding 3 meters, combining brute cutting force with advanced automation to handle complex geometries previously unattainable by robots. The Catonator operates fully electrically, powered by a high-performance battery module that eliminates CO₂ emissions and reduces noise and exhaust fumes compared to traditional diesel-powered equipment. Its precision is enhanced by KUKA’s SmartProduction ecosystem, which provides real-time sensor data and machine learning algorithms to optimize cutting paths and blade performance, maintaining a tolerance as fine as 0.1 millimeters.
robotroboticsremote-controlautomationconstruction-technologyelectric-machinerysmart-productionWorld's first test shakes 3D-printed homes to check earthquake safety
The University of Bristol has conducted the world’s first large-scale earthquake safety test on a 3D-printed concrete home using the UK’s largest shaking table. This experiment aimed to evaluate whether 3D-printed homes can withstand seismic forces, addressing concerns about the structural integrity of this emerging construction method. By subjecting a quasi-real-scale 3D-printed concrete unit to progressively intense shaking, researchers closely monitored its response to identify potential weaknesses such as cracking or displacement. The goal is to compare 3D-printed structures with traditional buildings, validate computational seismic models, and ultimately determine if 3D-printed concrete can meet current earthquake safety standards. The project, led by Dr. De Risi, seeks to optimize design parameters like layer bonding and reinforcement integration to improve seismic performance. These findings are intended to inform engineers, architects, and policymakers, potentially leading to new building codes that incorporate additive manufacturing technologies. As 3D printing gains popularity for its affordability and sustainability, this research addresses
3D-printingearthquake-safetyconstruction-technologymaterials-scienceconcrete-innovationseismic-testingadditive-manufacturing432 robots move 7,500-ton building in China to make way for construction
The 100-year-old Huayanli complex in Shanghai, a 7,382-ton traditional shikumen-style building set covering 13,222 square feet, is being temporarily relocated about 10 meters per day using 432 small walking robots. This unprecedented engineering project aims to clear space for constructing a three-story underground facility beneath the complex, which will house 173,885 square feet of cultural and commercial zones, a parking garage with over 100 spaces, and a transport hub connecting Metro Lines 2, 12, and 13. The dense, historic Zhangyuan area, featuring narrow alleys and tightly packed buildings, necessitated innovative robotic solutions, including drilling and earth-moving robots capable of operating in confined spaces as narrow as 1.2 meters. Advanced technologies such as AI-driven deep learning, building information modeling (BIM), and point cloud scanning were employed to create detailed 3D models of the site, enabling precise planning of movement routes and soil removal paths. A factory-line-style conveyor belt system was implemented to efficiently remove soil with minimal disruption. Once the underground construction is complete, the Huayanli complex will be returned to its original location, integrating preserved historical architecture with modern underground infrastructure, thereby revitalizing the Zhangyuan area while maintaining its cultural heritage.
robotsroboticsconstruction-technologyAIcivil-engineeringbuilding-relocationautomation32-ton monster electric dozer packs 750 hp, charges 80% in 50 mins
robotIoTenergyelectric-vehiclesconstruction-technologyautonomous-machinerybattery-technologyPhotos: World's tallest 3D-printed tower blends tech, art, and climate
robotics3D-printingdigital-designarchitectureconstruction-technologyCO₂-capturematerials-scienceĐập thủy điện cao nhất thế giới bắt đầu trữ nước
robotIoTenergyhydropowerclean-energyconstruction-technologyenvironmental-monitoring