European Researchers Bring Innovative Robotics to Construction

New advancements in autonomous systems are poising the construction industry for a robot revolution. One of the oldest and most vital industries in the world, the construction industry is fraught with safety risks that endanger its workers who must perform daunting, labor-intensive tasks, and in the short term, added workflow challenges under COVID. While robots are empowering efficiencies and safer conditions in almost every other industry, with tasks that are difficult to automate, the construction worksite itself has been the primary obstacle to robotic automation.

MarketScale Radio hosts Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern are hammering out news from across the pond relating to an innovative way the European construction industry is employing robots to execute tasks with precision, thereby increasing efficiencies and minimizing safety risks. Boasting a cable-driven robot with eight flexible cables that allow it to rotate and move in all different directions, enter the newest tool from the HEPHAESTUS project.

• The HEPHAESTUS project based out of Europe is exploring the use of autonomous robots for construction sites.
• Its most recent development is a cable-driven robot for installing curtain walls and improving on-site safety.
• The majority of the European construction industry is in non-residential (31.6%) and housing rehabilitation (28%).