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A Procedure Model for the Development of Construction Robots

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Innovation in Construction

Abstract

Due to a constantly growing interest in construction robots, guidance on the design and management for its development process is needed to employ the best practice know-how and accelerate efficient development and marketisation. The development of construction robots usually involves stakeholders from the construction sector, non-construction sectors, and investors. A systematic design management method can help to integrate the needs and aims of different stakeholders and team members during the development process. Therefore, a procedure model for the development of construction robots is proposed as an integrative guidance on how to systematically conceptualise engineer requirements and to design, develop, implement, evaluate, manage, and mature the designs of construction robots. Several recent projects have been used by the authors to test and verify parts of the proposed cyclic method. In addition, the authors explain how the proposed model has been composed of an adapted set of proven principles and methodologies from the systems engineering and management field and highlight the specific concepts for developing and testing the construction robots. The application of the procedure model revealed that the concept and method are feasible and, in principle, can provide a comprehensive and practical guide on the steps forward. A unique characteristic of the proposed procedure model is the core principle which allows the evolvement over time with each cycle of use. In addition, interchangeable elements can be inserted into the procedure model depending on the region, type of robot, and technical readiness level.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported and partly financed by the following entities and projects:

1

Development of a façade processing robot for CIC. This project was commissioned by the Construction Industry Council, Hong Kong

2

Development of a cable-driven panel installation robot in the project HEPHAESTUS: this project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 Programme (H2020/2014–2020) under Grant Agreement Number 732513

3

Development of innovative façade renovation solutions in the project BERTIM: this project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 Programme under Grant Agreement Number 636984

4

Development of a scenario development technique for on-site construction robot technology: this project has received funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD Grant No. 57217359) and the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (Reference No. G-HKU704/15)

5

Development of robotic solutions for elevator system installation by LEVARU: the authors thank the LEVARU team for their kind cooperation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Building Realization and Robotics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany

    Thomas Linner, Rongbo Hu, Kepa Iturralde & Thomas Bock

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  1. Thomas Linner
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  2. Rongbo Hu
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  3. Kepa Iturralde
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  4. Thomas Bock
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Correspondence to Thomas Linner .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Brunel University London, London, UK

    Seyed Hamidreza Ghaffar

  2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Paul Mullett

  3. Brunel Design School, Brunel University London, London, UK

    Eujin Pei

  4. Sevenoaks, UK

    John Roberts

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Linner, T., Hu, R., Iturralde, K., Bock, T. (2022). A Procedure Model for the Development of Construction Robots. In: Ghaffar, S.H., Mullett, P., Pei, E., Roberts, J. (eds) Innovation in Construction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95798-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95798-8_14

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