- The influence of automation and robotics on the performance construction
- Breaking down brick walls: Design, construction, and prototype fabrication knowledge in architecture
The other two article I chose talk about some specific applications of robotics in AE industry. The first article discusses the direction robotics should take in construction industry, more specifically, premanufacturing (off site manufacturing and assembly) as well as large construction component on-site assembly. This article also discusses how robotics, systems automation, intelligent buildings, and real-time information sharing is becoming more critical in construction speed, cost, and safety. John, in his blog mentioned that we will never have building constructed entirelly using robotics, which I absolutely agree with. However, we are moving to towards manufacturing at a much larger scale, and soon, construction teams instead of assembling building from scratch will assemble large (premanufactured) building systems.
The second article talks about a niche market - architectural model prototyping using robotics. Their idea is to develop an intelligent computer modelling software, accepting user input in English, which then will translate the input into a programming language, which a robot will use to build a physical model of the design. I think the idea is great, but it seems like the authors are re-inventing the wheel a bit. Their idea is a much more advanced computer modeling program combined with an advanced 3D printer. I believe it would be much more productive from their research and development side, if they used an already existing modeling softwarea and incorporated their "common sense" intelligence and language translation capabilities, without creating a brand new platform.
As you have said in your post, I agree with you in the idea that robotics will be important and useful in pre-manufacturing buildings. It is interesting that robots can not only help speed up the construction process but also may be able to create a safer environment for people to work in as well as possibly reduce construction costs. This was something that was also discussed in the articles I read as well. It will be interesting to see if robots and robotics will eventually be used in all phases of construction, from the initial design to the long term maintenance of the building. Right now pre-manufacturing seems like only the beginning to robotics being used within construction.
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