Photo credit: www.sciencedaily.com
The integration of robotic arms and 3D printing technologies into construction sites is becoming increasingly common, but these systems are generally limited to stable ground conditions and predictable environments. A research initiative led by scientists at the Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics, part of Empa and EPFL, has explored the potential of aerial robots as autonomous construction tools. Their findings, featured in a notable article in Science Robotics, highlight the advancements and future possibilities of this evolving technology. Aerial drones could revolutionize construction by accessing hard-to-reach areas, such as mountainous terrains, rooftops, disaster-stricken locations, or even extraterrestrial environments. Their flexibility, ability to operate in swarms, and independence from fixed sites could significantly enhance construction efficiency, minimize material usage, and increase safety on work sites.
Disaster Response and High-Difficulty Operations
Aerial robots show particular promise in emergency scenarios, such as floods or areas devastated by natural disasters where traditional vehicles are unable to navigate. These drones could transport essential materials and autonomously assemble temporary shelters. Additionally, they could perform maintenance tasks in settings that are traditionally hard to access. “Current ground-based robotic systems typically require substantial time to set up, weigh several tons, and have limited ranges,” explained Yusuf Furkan Kaya, the study’s lead author from Empa and EPFL. “In contrast, construction drones are lightweight and highly mobile, although they still exist at a developmental stage where they have not been fully adapted for industrial applications.”
Numerous academic prototypes already showcase various airborne construction methodologies, including the placement of building components and tensioning of cable systems, as well as 3D printing materials layer by layer. Notably, at Empa, researchers have designed flying robots to collaboratively print construction materials for building or repairing structures.
Technology, Material, and Design Synergy
The disruptive potential of drones lies in their ability to construct in virtually any location, provided that energy supply and material transport are addressed. Their scalability is evident; hundreds of drones could be deployed to quickly erect infrastructure in remote areas following a disaster.
However, leveraging drone technology in construction presents substantial challenges, particularly the need for interdisciplinary development. Aerial Additive Manufacturing (Aerial AM) demands advancements in robotics, materials science, and architectural design to progress concurrently. Mirko Kovac, head of the Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics at Empa and EPFL, explains that “while a drone may have the capability for precise flight, it requires lightweight, strong, and processable materials to truly reach its potential. Additionally, building designs will need adaptation to align with the precision limitations inherent in aerial robotic capabilities.”
Supporting Conventional Robotics
Beyond interdisciplinary challenges, drone technology faces specific technical limitations, including restricted flight duration, payload capacity, and autonomy. The study outlines a five-tier autonomy framework for drones, ranging from basic navigational tasks to complete independence, where aerial robots assess constructions in real-time, identify issues, and modify designs on the fly. Kaya emphasizes that this is not merely theoretical but a tangible developmental framework aimed at enhancing drone capabilities in construction contexts.
Currently, Aerial AM serves as a supplementary approach to traditional ground-based robotic systems. Drones tend to consume energy at rates eight to ten times higher than conventional systems and are limited in the volume of construction they can manage. Consequently, the researchers advocate for a hybrid methodology: while existing robots engage in the foundational aspects of construction, drones could assume roles at elevated levels, maximizing their inherent advantages in adaptability and range.
Source
www.sciencedaily.com