On-site innovative robotic and automated solutions and techniques for more sustainable and less disruptive building renovation and construction

Expected Outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Measurable reduction in overall time spent on site for renovation and construction, compared to current best practices;
• Measurable increase in resource efficiency, as well as improved accuracy (designed vs. as-built), of on-site renovation and construction works, compared to current best practices;
• Measurable reduction in noise pollution, air pollution (e.g., particulate matter) and other pollution caused by on-site renovation and construction works, compared to current best practices.

Scope

Buildings need to be sustainable and resource efficient, and the rate of deep renovation needs to be increased. This can be accelerated by modernising the construction sector and embracing the latest developments in robotics and automated systems. There is need for further research on innovative on-site robotic and other automated solutions and techniques that make renovation and construction works more sustainable, less disruptive, faster, as well as more accurate, cost effective and resource efficient.

Proposals are expected to address all of the following:

• Test and validate the use of innovative on-site robotic and automated solutions and techniques both for construction of buildings and for renovation of which at least one must investigate 3D printing;
• Apply a research methodology which allows for a robust comparison of at least the three expected outcomes of the proposed innovative solutions and techniques with current best practices;
• Investigate aspects of on-site workers’ safety and human-robot collaboration related to the future application of the proposed solutions and techniques;
• Test and validate at least three prototype solutions and techniques to investigate their applicability for a variety of building typologies, duly justified to represent a relevant part of the European building stock. The prototypes should be validated in a lab or another relevant environment. Testing and validation must address solutions for both renovation and construction. The prototypes should be applicable either to renovation, or to construction, or to both, but both renovation and construction need to be addressed in a proposal.

Selected proposals could consider the involvement of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) whose contribution could consist of providing added value regarding various aspects of on-site robotics for construction and renovation, as well as performing experimental research for validating full-scale prototype buildings renovated and/or constructed with robotic solutions.

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 4-5 by the end of the project - see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL.