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Robotics in Construction

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Springer Handbook of Robotics

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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 57.1 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 as well as other categories. Section 57.2 discusses some of the offsite applications of robotics in construction (such as for prefabrication), while Sect. 57.3 discusses the use of robots that perform a single task at the construction site. Section 57.4 introduces the concept of an integrated robotized construction site in which multiple robots/machines collaborate to build an entire structure. Section 57.5 discusses unsolved technical problems in construction robotics, which include interoperability, connection systems, tolerances, and power and communications. Finally, Sect. 57.6 discusses future directions in construction robotics and Sect. 57.7 gives some conclusions and suggests resources for further reading.

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Abbreviations

2-D:

two-dimensional

3-D:

three-dimensional

ACBS:

automatic constructions building system

ATLSS:

advanced technology for large structural systems

CAD:

computer-aided design

CAM:

computer-aided manufacturing

CIC:

computer integrated construction

CNC:

computer numerical control

ERP:

enterprise resource planning

EU:

European Union

GDP:

gross domestic product

GPS:

global positioning system

GVA:

gross value added

I3CON:

industrialized, integrated, intelligent, construction

ICT:

information and communication technology

MCP:

magazining, cleaning, plotting

PCM:

programmable construction machine

ROCCO:

robot construction system for computer integrated construction

ROD:

robot oriented design

SMAS:

solid material assembly system

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Building and Fire Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, MD 20899-1070, Gaitherbsurg, USA

    Kamel S. Saidi

  2. Department of Architecture, Technical University Munich, Arcisstrasse 21, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Thomas Bock

  3. Department of Architecture, Technical University Munich, Arcisstrasse 21, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Christos Georgoulas

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  1. Kamel S. Saidi
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  2. Thomas Bock
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  3. Christos Georgoulas
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Correspondence to Kamel S. Saidi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125, Naples, Italy

    Bruno Siciliano

  2. Department of Computer Sciences, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, CA 94305, Stanford, USA

    Oussama Khatib

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Obayashi ACBS (Automatic Constructions Building System) available from http://handbookofrobotics.org/view-chapter/57/videodetails/272

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Saidi, K.S., Bock, T., Georgoulas, C. (2016). Robotics in Construction. In: Siciliano, B., Khatib, O. (eds) Springer Handbook of Robotics. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32552-1_57

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