In recent years, due to the challenge of population ageing, labor shortage and globalization, robots and automation have been playing an increasingly important role in the construction industry. Yet in German construction industry, of which 80% are renovations, most application examples are single-task approaches such as component production and prefabrication, few can be seen as versatile, flexible, and multifunctional solutions which adapt the increasing need of on-site robots. On the basis of comprehensively categorizing and analyzing the current application examples of state-of-the-art single-task construction robots (STCRs), this paper aims to propose a framework of flexible and universal platform combining single-task robots as a robot swarm focusing on renovation (Single/Multi-task On-site Adaptable Renovation Robot Technology for Building Engineering Enhancement, or simply SMARTBEE). The interaction between the robots and humans will also play a major role. Research focus will be on the development of anticipatory assistive controllers to support human labor, on shared control architectures, and the integration of wearable haptics as human-robot interface. Furthermore, the research will concentrate on developing controllers for the safe operation of modular robotic solutions. This will also incorporate considering the predicted movements of surrounding workers to ensure safe operation of construction robots. For the control of modular robots, a plug-and-play functionality will be envisioned which allows one to change the configuration of construction robots while the new kinematics and control is adapted on the fly. The objective of this proposed framework is to establish a consortium to rigorously develop the concept of flexible modular robots incorporating human assistive functions to fill the vacancy in the construction robot industry. The research priority will be given to STCRs, On-site Logistic/Distribution, Renovation Technology, and control engineering.
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In recent years, due to the challenge of population ageing, labor shortage and globalization, robots and automation have been playing an increasingly important role in the construction industry. Yet in German construction industry, of which 80% are renovations, most application examples are single-task approaches such as component production and prefabrication, few can be seen as versatile, flexible, and multifunctional solutions which adapt the increasing need of on-site robots. On the basis of...
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