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AUAR and ABB Robotics have been automating building processes with robotic mobile micro-factories. | Source: ABB Robotics
ABB Robotics has teamed up again with Automated Architecture (AUAR), a firm focused on construction technology. Their latest initiative, known as “ConstrucThor,” will establish a pioneering research facility in Belgium aimed at advancing sustainable construction practices.
This innovative project will leverage AUAR’s micro-factory technology, utilizing an automated construction approach that incorporates ABB robotics. Once operational, ConstrucThor will function as a living laboratory, dedicated to investigating energy-neutral infrastructures and climate-friendly building materials.
Craig McDonnell, managing director of business line industries at ABB Robotics, highlighted the pressing need for the construction sector to adopt more eco-friendly methodologies, as it contributes to approximately 40% of global CO2 emissions. He emphasized that robotic automation could significantly alleviate environmental and workforce challenges, leading to reduced waste and increased productivity within the industry.
The ConstrucThor facility will establish a climate-neutral testing environment within the OpenThor Living Lab at Thor Park, Genk, Belgium. This educational endeavor will collaborate with several research sectors from the prestigious KU Leuven University and various industry partners, focusing on strategies to transition to a climate-neutral building industry.
Previous Collaborations Between AUAR and ABB
AUAR and ABB have a history of collaboration, particularly with AUAR’s micro-factories that integrate ABB’s robotic arms. Recently, they dispatched two of these micro-factories to the United States, with AUAR asserting that their technology enhances efficiency, predictability, and control while minimizing financial risks and environmental impact when constructing timber homes.
For instance, the automated micro-factory is capable of producing the essential components of a home in under 12 hours, facilitating swift on-site assembly, as stated by the companies.
Prior to partnering with AUAR, ABB’s robotic systems had been employed in modular construction and 3D printing projects globally. These robots have contributed to academic research aimed at exploring the integration of robotic technology in the construction sector.
Mollie Claypool, co-founder and CEO of AUAR, expressed pride in their technology being utilized for this groundbreaking facility, representing a collective dedication to innovation and sustainable building practices by both companies. She remarked that their automated modular construction micro-factories are designed to tackle industry challenges by lowering costs, accelerating timelines, and reducing the carbon footprint of homebuilding. This project is set to validate their vision that such innovative construction methods are crucial for fostering future sustainable communities.
AUAR and ABB have crafted a strategy to implement robotics within a worldwide network of localized micro-factories, allowing homes to be produced near their final destinations with minimal on-site labor required. To showcase this approach, AUAR has successfully launched micro-factories in the UK, Belgium, and the US, including two located in the Midwest.
Looking ahead, they aim to expand this network to include a total of 10 micro-factories by the following year, collaborating with seven additional partners across Europe and North America.
Source
www.therobotreport.com