Cable-star robot can build, learn...and it could replace cranes
While the use of robots has grown, they are often located in one fixed position and limited in the range and volume of what they can build
These robotic assemblers could offer many different possibilities, depending on the instructions they are given and how building components are arranged.
Andrew Edge, senior architect at Arup, said: “In the global race towards automation, the use of robots in the manufacturing process has significantly increased over the last few decades. The use of fixed-arm robots in car-making is well-established and commonplace across the industry. These static, fixed-arm robots have slowly been introduced into the construction process on small-scale projects and pavilion-type buildings.
“However, these are limited to what they can construct by the length of their flexible arm and fixed position. A more flexible, dynamic and responsive solution is required. One possible answer is cable robots”
Arthur Mamou-Mani, director of Mamou-Mani, added: “An entire construction site will need to be choreographed and understood. The construction site is typically arranged by a contractor, the difference is that architects will have no choice but to consider the sequence of assembly and disassembly in the digital models.”
Mamou-Mani said the prototype robot could lift 2kg blocks, and the next stage was to scale up the prototype and that eventually it could take the place of tower cranes, providing an intelligent automated lifting process.
“At the moment when you lift with a tower crane you still need people to help lift the load into position,” he said. “The cable stays that the robot is mounted on would be easy to install on gantries on the site.”
Architecture and design practice Mamou-Mani specialises in a new kind of pop-up, digital fabrication led architecture. Mamou-Mani has a fabrication facility called FabPub and strong experience in digital technology.
Nigel Tonks, group leader, Buildings London, at Arup said: “We are living in the age of the digital revolution. With the Internet of Things, open source and the World Wide Web, I believe we are now at the cusp of where AI and machine learning will begin to transform our industry”
Source: http://www.bimplus.co.uk/technology/cable-stay-robot-can-build-learn-and-it-could-repl/
