Bochum University of Applied Sciences advances robotics research in construction

A research team at Bochum University of Applied Sciences is using the large-scale CoBotCraftLab device to investigate the collaboration between humans and robots in the construction industry. Their research covers topics such as movement sequences, safety aspects, and the design of comprehensible and predictable processes for robots. The departments of architecture, mechatronics, and mechanical engineering are collaborating on the project.

At the heart of the research facility is a mobile manufacturing cell where six collaborative robots, or cobots, work alongside humans. If the research is successful, automated manufacturing processes could create new opportunities, given the ongoing shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry. The goal is to combine manual techniques with robotic precision to transfer heavy or repetitive tasks to robots, eliminating the need for protective barriers.

These systems are designed for direct interaction, setting them apart from traditional industrial robots. As part of the project, wall components are being manufactured at a scale of 1:1, among other things. "Many fundamental questions remain unanswered in the field of automated construction with robots," says Daniel Schilberg, Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics and Dean of the Department of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering. “We are particularly interested in designing a collaborative system that allows people to understand what the robot is doing at all times.”