AR-Informed Collaborative Timber (Pre-)Fabrication

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MRK II - FLEXIBLE (PRE-)FABRICATION IN TIMBER CONSTRUCTION VIA AUGMENTED REALITY INFORMED HUMAN ROBOT COLLABORATION WITH MULTIPLE MACHINES AND HUMAN CRAFT

The timber prefabrication industry is evolving away from manual craft towards higher levels of automation. In this context, the role of craftspeople has received little attention. Their ability to recognise problems and, equipped with hand tools, act in a flexible manner, continue to make them valuable assets, especially in the small series production of SME prefabrication sites. Developments in robotic technologies and advancements in the field of augmented reality (AR) facilitate rich, real-time communication between human and robotic actors, opening new possibilities for flexible, adaptive, and efficient production processes. This project aims to bring together craftspeople and large-scale automation technology through AR-informed human robot collaboration to carry out complex, cooperative (pre-)fabrication processes.

The research project explores novel flexibilisation strategies for the collaborative production of building components with multiple human and robotic actors. Concepts for safety and work zone systems are also proposed. The approach counters the progressive reduction and exclusion of contributions from human craftsmanship in the full-automation paradigm. It aims to develop an agile, competitive manufacturing strategy for organisations that cannot afford extensive automation and help craft workers thrive in value-added fields of activity in the construction industry.

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PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Prof. Achim Menges
Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart

RESEARCHER
Dr. Felix Amtsberg (ICD)
Xiliu Yang (ICD)

PARTNERS
müllerblaustein HolzBauWerke GmbH
BEC GmbH

FUNDING
BBSR - Bundesinstitut für Bau- Stadt- und Raumforschung im Bundesamt für Bauwesen Raumordnung - Innovationsprogramm Zukunft Bau