Robotic Assembly Cells for Faster Building Structure Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The shortage of housing in urban centers due to antiquated and manual construction processes that result in elongated construction timelines and a lack of skilled labor, leading to a low supply of new housing construction.
Innovation Solution
An automated assembly method and system that analyzes assembly data to determine an optimized assembly sequence for building structures, generates robot-specific control instructions, and uses robotic assembly cells equipped with perception sensors to assemble building parts efficiently, reducing reliance on skilled labor and expediting construction timelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated assembly systems are implemented, then productivity and construction speed are improved, but device complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated assembly system is divided into modular robotic assembly cells, each capable of performing specific assembly tasks independently. This segmentation allows the complex automation system to be broken down into manageable modules that can be deployed incrementally, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic assembly cells are designed with universal capabilities to perform multiple assembly tasks through reconfigurable end-effectors and programmable control systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each task, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity across different construction applications.
2Device complexity
If manual construction processes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but construction timelines are elongated and labor dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical construction processes are replaced with automated robotic systems that use computer-controlled mechanisms for cutting, drilling, and assembling building components. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming nature of manual work while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable through standardized interfaces and programming.
3Manufacturing precision
If skilled labor is increased, then assembly quality is improved, but labor costs and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic assembly cells are equipped with integrated sensors, vision systems, and control algorithms that enable them to autonomously perform quality inspection and adjustment during the assembly process. This self-service capability ensures high assembly precision without requiring additional skilled labor time, as the system automatically detects and corrects deviations from specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein generally relate to methods, systems and devices for automated assembly of building structures. In at least one embodiment, there is provided a robotic assembly cell for assembling building structures. The robotic assembly cell comprises a perception sensor system; one or more assembly robots; and at least one processor operable to: receive instructions corresponding to an assembly sequence for assembling a building structure; determine a plurality of building parts required for assembling the building structure based on the assembly sequence; identify each building part within a facility, based on sensor data from the perception sensor system; configure the assembly robot to retrieve the target pieces; and configure the assembly robot to assemble the target pieces according to the assembly sequence.