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Robotics in Construction

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Springer Handbook of Robotics

Abstract

This chapter introduces various construction automation concepts that have been developed over the past few decades and presents examples of construction robots that are in current use (as of 2006) and/or in various stages of research and development. Section 47.1 presents an overview of the construction industry, which includes descriptions of the industry, the types of construction, and the typical construction project. The industry overview also discusses the concept of automation versus robotics in construction and breaks down the concept of robotics in construction into several levels of autonomy. Section 47.1 also presents traditional and advanced concepts for sensing systems in construction, which enable the use of robots and various forms of automation. Section 47.2 discusses some of the economic aspects of implementing robotics in construction, and Sect. 47.3 presents examples of robots from various construction applications. Section 47.4 discusses unsolved technical problems in construction robotics, which include interoperability, connection systems, tolerances, and power and communications. Finally, Sect. 47.5 discusses future directions in construction robotics and Sect. 47.6 gives some conclusions and suggests resources for further reading.

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Abbreviations

ATLSS:

advanced technology for large structural systems

CAD:

computer-aided design

CNC:

computer numerical control

EDM:

electrical discharge machining

EDM:

electronic distance measuring

GDP:

gross domestic product

GPR:

ground-penetrating radar

GPS:

global positioning system

I3CON:

industrialized, integrated, intelligent, construction

LADAR:

laser radar or laser detection and ranging

LIDAR:

light detection and ranging

LOS:

line of sight

MEMS:

microelectromechanical systems

RAM:

random-access (volatile) memory

RF:

radiofrequency

RFID:

radiofrequency identification

RGB:

red, green, blue

ROM:

read-only memory

US:

ultrasound

UWB:

ultra-wideband

iGPS:

indoor GPS

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, 20899, Gaitherbsurg, MD, USA

    Kamel S. Saidi Dr.

  2. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, Australia

    Jonathan B. OʼBrien Prof

  3. Construction Metrology and Automation Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, 20899, Gaithersburg, MD, USA

    Alan M. Lytle BS

Authors
  1. Kamel S. Saidi Dr.
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  2. Jonathan B. OʼBrien Prof
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  3. Alan M. Lytle BS
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Kamel S. Saidi Dr. , Jonathan B. OʼBrien Prof or Alan M. Lytle BS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. PRISMA Lab, Dipartimento di Informatica e Sistemistica, Universitá degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80125, Napoli, Italy, Via Claudio 21

    Bruno Siciliano Prof.

  2. Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, 94305-9010, Stanford, CA, USA

    Oussama Khatib Prof.

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Saidi, K.S., OʼBrien, J.B., Lytle, A.M. (2008). Robotics in Construction. In: Siciliano, B., Khatib, O. (eds) Springer Handbook of Robotics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-30301-5_48

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-30301-5_48

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