Budimex is testing a mobile robot to support workers on construction sites. Powered by an ecological engine, the gesture controlled design is equipped with 360-degree cameras, lidar and sensors that allow it to work even at night. The robot is being tested at the construction site of the Military Clinical Hospital in Krakow. His tasks will include transporting heavy objects, painting, assembling formwork and drilling holes. The innovative design is the result of cooperation between engineers from Italy, Austria, Germany and Poland.
The Cobot, or Collaborative Robot, is equipped with 4 swivel wheels, so it can easily move in any direction at speeds of up to 8 km/h. The structure moves completely automatically, avoiding both obstacles and people. An additional advantage is also the ability to upload a map of the facility on which it will work. Thanks to its modular design, it will also be easy to adapt to different tasks.
Work on creating the robot has been underway since 2021. as part of the CONCERT research project, which was carried out by a consortium with partners from Italy, Austria and Germany, including the Italian Institute of Technology. The consortium also included the Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute from Warsaw, which helped to develop assumptions for safe and effective work with the robot. “The official premiere of the robot took place just a few weeks ago, during the Economic Forum in Karpacz. Now it’s time for a baptism of fire – the robot is starting tests at the construction site of the Military Hospital in Krakow – says Marek Klusek, Director of the Guarantee, Innovation and Contract Conditions Branch at Budimex SA.
The main task of the robot will be to help transport heavy objects – that’s why the load capacity of the robot platform is up to 200 kg. The machine also has an arm with a 1.2m overhang. It can be used to carry weights up to 20 kg. This will allow him to drill, for example, in ceilings, to reduce the time people work in an uncomfortable position with their arms raised.
The robot’s working time is 10 hours. Powered by an electric motor, it does not emit exhaust fumes, so it can work both underground and indoors. Equipping the innovative machine with an emission-free engine is part of Budimex’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. “As the largest construction group in Poland, we want to set trends in innovative and sustainable construction. The robot starting work today is just the beginning of the changes we are preparing. – says Marek Klusek, Director of the Guarantee, Innovation and Contract Conditions Branch at Budimex SA.
The desire to protect the environment is not the only reason for the creation of the robot. “Like any construction company, we are struggling with the challenges of an aging society and a shortage of labor. The construction of this machine is our response to the realities of the labor market. We want to build a foundation for the use of Cobots in construction and set trends in this aspect. We assume that we can talk about broader robotization in a time horizon of 5-10 years, depending on how intensively companies from the robotics industry turn towards the construction industry to respond to its needs. We want to be a leader in this transformation and a reliable partner for entities specializing in the development of robots,” adds Marek Klusek.
Purpose and scope of the first robot tests:
– Checking the robot’s functionality in the real environment of the construction site (mobility, maneuverability, navigation, safety).
– Verification of design assumptions for the robot’s use cases for transporting construction materials and drilling.
– Pilot implementation of new procedures and guidelines necessary for the organization of work on the construction site with the use of a robot.
– Dissemination of knowledge about the new technology among construction workers, in the technical and social field.
– Gathering experience and data for further development work on the cobot.
– A full range of tests with the participation of general construction workers planned for spring 2024.
The robot in numbers:
– Platform load capacity up to 200 kg
– Arm lifting capacity at 1.2m outreach approx. 20kg
– Speed up to – the possibility of installing larger wheels in the future.
– Up to 10 hours of battery life on a single battery charge
– Configurable arm, its length (range), number of modules and final manipulator can be changed
Robot functionalities:
– Transporting materials, drilling, and ultimately spray insulation and support in assembling simple formwork.
– End head replacement time, a few minutes.
– Gesture control, via tablet or manually in “FOLLOW ME” mode
– Navigation through the placed coded tags
– Autonomous robot navigation in the workspace using the BIM model
