Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

construction

4 Innovative construction solutions in building engineering

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Construction plays an important role in modern life. All man-made structures are the result of construction work. A vast majority of buildings, homes, towers, roads, and bridges are made of concrete and steel, plus some other materials added to bind them together.

But despite the intrinsic strength of both concrete and steel, the construction industry is still beset by numerous problems such as concrete cracking and high overall costs. To solve those issues, researchers have sought to develop construction innovations.

Among the most revolutionary innovations in building construction are energy efficient fabric structures. These are tensile materials used to wrap structural frameworks in lieu of concrete and wood. [Read more…] about 4 Innovative construction solutions in building engineering

Autonomous excavators ready for around the clock real-world application

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Researchers from Baidu Research and the University of Maryland have developed a robotic excavator system that integrates perception, planning, and control capabilities to enable material loading over a long duration with no human intervention

Researchers from Baidu Research Robotics and Auto-Driving Lab (RAL) and the University of Maryland, College Park, have introduced an autonomous excavator system (AES) that can perform material loading tasks for a long duration without any human intervention while offering performance closely equivalent to that of an experienced human operator.

AES is among the world’s first uncrewed excavation systems to have been deployed in real-world scenarios and continuously operating for over 24 hours, bringing about industry-leading benefits in terms of enhanced safety and productivity.

The researchers described their methodology in a research paper published on June 30, 2021, in Science Robotics. [Read more…] about Autonomous excavators ready for around the clock real-world application

Boston Dynamics robot dog used to inspect construction work at Virginia Tech

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Virginia Tech researchers are unleashing an autonomous robot dog on university construction sites to investigate the applications of using robots to monitor construction progress. 

Faculty and students from Myers-Lawson School of Construction, within the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and College of Engineering, are partnering with the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities and industry sponsor Procon Consulting to deploy Spot, a mobile robot dog developed by Boston Dynamics, to conduct this innovative research.

The ongoing experimental investigation is exploring whether construction progress monitoring – a traditionally human-dependent, labor-intensive, and error-prone process – can be improved by leveraging autonomous robotic technology to lead the systematic collection of data in construction environments. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics robot dog used to inspect construction work at Virginia Tech

ABB Robotics advances construction industry automation to enable safer and sustainable building

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Nine out of 10 construction businesses predict a skills crisis by 2030, with 81 percent saying they will introduce robots in the next 10 years, while safety and the environment both catalysts for accelerating investment in robotics

ABB Robotics is driving automation in the construction industry with new robotic automation solutions to address key challenges, including the need for more affordable and environmentally friendly housing and to reduce the environmental impact of construction, amidst a labor and skills shortage.

Robotic automation offers huge potential to enhance productivity, efficiency and manufacturing flexibility throughout the construction industry, including automating the fabrication of modular homes and building components off-site, robotic welding and material handling on building sites and robot 3D printing of houses and customized structures.

As well as making the industry safer and more cost effective, robots are improving sustainability and reducing environmental impact by enhancing quality and cutting waste. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics advances construction industry automation to enable safer and sustainable building

Texas university students win $10,000 SICK challenge

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For the third year, SICK invited students from universities around the country to participate in the TiM$10K Challenge. The challenge started in 2018 to support innovation and student achievement in automation and technology.

Teams were supplied with a 270° SICK LiDAR sensor (TiM) and accessories and challenged to solve a problem, create a solution, or bring a new application to any industry that utilizes the SICK LiDAR. [Read more…] about Texas university students win $10,000 SICK challenge

Nidec to open new factories and launch business in Serbia

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Nidec is to open new factories in the city of Novi Sad in Serbia, and held an event today to mark the beginning of the project. 

At today’s event, held at the office of president, Serbia, and attended by President Aleksandar Vučić, Mayor Miloš Vučević of Novi Sad, and Japanese Ambassador to Serbia Takahiko Katsumata, among others, the company announced its plan to launch business in Serbia.

Yesterday, on April 8, the company held a ceremony to open a new business office in Novi Sad to start preparations to start up the factories in full scale. [Read more…] about Nidec to open new factories and launch business in Serbia

Safety for Workers, Here is What You Should Know

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Safety within the construction industry and beyond this is vital for the reputation of your business and the welfare of your workers.

It may begin with ensuring that they have the correct training for the job, as well as ensuring that you check drivers license status on all new workers.

However, safety now goes beyond the initial security checks. [Read more…] about Safety for Workers, Here is What You Should Know

B&R unveils ‘high-end’ computer for autonomous agricultural and construction vehicles

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Industrial automation company B&R, a subsidiary of ABB, is adding a new high-end computer to its mobile automation portfolio.

The company says the new computer offers significantly more processing power and memory, giving it plenty of resources to implement autonomous functions for agricultural and construction vehicles or self-driving transport systems.

The computer is specially designed to perform in harsh environments. The housing temperature can be between -40°C and +85°C. The computer is also highly resistant to shock and vibration. [Read more…] about B&R unveils ‘high-end’ computer for autonomous agricultural and construction vehicles

GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cells for electric vehicles while Volvo and Scania highlight their own electrification initiatives

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General Motors will supply its Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes to truck-making giant Navistar for use in its production model fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) – the International RHTM Series.

Navistar’s FCEV will get energy from two GM Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes.

Each Hydrotec power cube contains 300-plus hydrogen fuel cells along with thermal and power management systems. [Read more…] about GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cells for electric vehicles while Volvo and Scania highlight their own electrification initiatives

Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

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Continental has developed what it says are “quieter” conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo.

The company says its “Sicon” pouch conveyor belt transports bulk material safely and cleanly, with low noise and emissions, through residential districts of Japan’s capital.

The conveyor belt are being used in the construction of an underground catch basin for 150,000 cubic meters of water. [Read more…] about Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo