Simulation-Informed Robotic Tool Pathing

This video describes an innovative research project that integrates industrial robots with advanced physics simulations to enhance digital fabrication processes in the construction industry. Industrial robots, recognized for their flexibility and quick deployment, are proposed as a superior alternative to custom-built machines. This project draws inspiration from other sectors where digital twins are utilized to prototype and verify processes early on.
The construction industry faces unique challenges due to the complex behaviour of materials like paint and soil, which are difficult to predict and simulate. This research bridges the gap by adapting physics simulations, originally developed for life sciences, to work with robotic technology at a construction scale.
The current robotic simulation tools are limited to simulating only the robot's toolpath without considering material interactions or environmental effects. This results in a lack of realism in how materials respond to robot handling. The proposed methodology aims to overcome these limitations by incorporating real-time physics simulations into the robot's operational software, allowing for a more dynamic and accurate representation of material behaviour during construction tasks.
This interdisciplinary approach combines expertise from computational architectural design, robotics, and life sciences. The research has shown promising results, including more precise material distribution on various surfaces, which minimizes production time and reduces material waste. These improvements could lead to the development of bespoke, high-performance automated construction systems that outperform general-purpose equipment.
The ongoing research aims to create sophisticated architectural forms at a construction scale, potentially leading to on-site applications. These applications would use advanced simulations to manage different construction phases like finishing, painting, and excavation, optimizing the automated processes both on and off-site. The ultimate goal is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of construction automation, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with industrial robotics in building environments.
Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic

[@NowAmFound]

You guys are going to put me out of work. Or you could teach me how to do that and I'll run one of those. I paint

[@KarlSingline]

I doubt it; any work that can be automated with robots for painting already has been done. We chose paint for our initial testing as it was cheap, less messy, and time-consuming for the more complex workflows we intend for future applications.