Minibuilder - Construction robot team has the ability to replace people

A team of architects is experimenting with robots equipped with 3D printers, with the ability to operate flexibly to replace people in building large architectures.

3D printers are currently widely used in making small objects, some of which are used to make larger things like cars or aircraft components. However, a 3D printer big enough to build a house is a big challenge. Previously, a research group from the University of Southern California had the idea of ​​designing a giant 3D printer, with a frame large enough to support material nozzles to help build a house of size. standard.

A group of architects from the Institute of Materials and Architecture of Catalonia (Barcelona) is testing a project to use robots equipped with 3D printers, with the ability to operate flexibly to replace people in building ants. Large structure. With the use of robots with flexible 3D print-capable arms, they help replace the model of a giant and expensive 3D printer before, which opens up a new direction in public application. 3D printing technology into construction.

This Minibuilder robot project is the first time architects can use 3D printers in a continuous operation to build a house. Previously, there was also a project to build houses with 3D printing technology tested by Chinese scientists. However, this test is just to apply 3D printing technology to create individual structures of the house, while still using people to transport and assemble.

Minibuilder robots are not too big in size, with a width of only 42cm. Each miner will take care of different tasks during the construction process, they work independently but work together closely. Each Minibuilder is controlled by a central computer system, with separate sensors and navigation systems to help them work correctly. Another robot called Supplier robot is responsible for providing liquid materials so that the Minibers can operate continuously.

A team of Minibuilders is divided into 3 main functions. In particular, the Robot Foundation is responsible for creating the background structure like a set of foundation of the house, using artificial marble materials. The foundation structure has a limited height, depending on the height of the Robot Foundation. Then, the robot Grip will continue to increase the height of the foundation structure part, by moving around with the roller and spraying the material upwards. Finally, the Vacuums will be used to create other structural parts on the surface. They cling to the surface with a vacuum and wheel set.

Although the Minibuilder team is still in the process of testing and demonstrating its capabilities at the Barcelona Design Museum. Scientists believe that such a team of robots in the future will be able to build pre-programmed buildings without humans.