Using robots for construction
The aim is to create robotic construction units that can be deployed on site, or in flying factories, to carry out cutting, drilling and fixing.
The research is being backed with a £700,000 award from the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as part of their collaborative R&D programme.
The use of robotics in construction is an unexplored field, but presents potential benefits in terms of safety, accuracy and speed. A robot to drill and fix to the underside of slabs, for example, would eliminate a lot of work at height in dusty, noisy environments.
The project, Flexible Robotic Assembly Modules for the Built Environment (FRAMBE), is scoping out opportunities for automation and the development of robotic applications, building on a suite of Skanska initiatives that are transforming productivity in construction.
Skanska's partners in the project are:
- ABB Robotics
- The Building Research Establishment
- Tekla UK (software)
- Lean consultants Exelin
- University of Reading