COSCR-MULE

Traditional construction is a low-tech but flexible manufacturing process. It is carried out 'on-site' using pre-manufactured components (windows, doors, bricks, blocks etc) and the manufacture of basic elements such as concrete, plaster etc. Whilst its flexibility has much to commend it (given the bespoke nature of buildings and their geographic distribution) it is inefficient in time and costs, and prone to skills, quality, waste and H&S issues that are more complex than in conventional factory manufacture. It also does not lend itself to efficient automation; sales of robots to construction companies are much lower than in other sectors. COSCR-MULE project partners are working to develop cost effective, reconfigurable robots that can be deployed throughout construction supply chains for the factory-based manufacture and assembly of component parts that can then be transported to the construction site prior to installation. However, on-site construction presents additional challenges in that robots must be rugged and mobile, and readily reconfigured to new tasks, to enable them to move easily between locations and activities. They must be capable of accurate but autonomous positioning such that activities match the building design (included in a digital Building Information Model). Safety in use is essential; construction sites are dynamic environments, with human workers needing to carry out tasks, potentially in close proximity to a robot. If these challenges can be addressed there are potentially huge benefits in terms of construction productivity and quality (e.g. potentially dangerous tasks such as drilling at height completed 4 times faster than is possible by human workers) as well as health and safety benefits. On-site robotics will also help to address ongoing skills shortages in construction whilst presenting greater opportunities for upskilling. The COSCR-MULE project will therefore develop and assess an innovative, mobile construction platform that is capable of autonomous movement of bulky building materials around a construction site to reduce repetitive on-site activities in a safe, cost effective manner. The project will be led by UK SME Innvotek. Skanska, a leading international construction contractor will pilot and assess the COSCR-MULE solution in the context of real on-site construction projects to enable project partners to identify and plan the next steps needed for the development of a full commercial system. We believe that there is a huge opportunity for use in construction sectors globally.