Visual Programming for Interactive Robotic Fabrication Processes - Process flow definition in robotic fabrication

Abstract

Visual, flow-based programming environments in architecture and design are built to control data flow but not process flow. However, controlling the process flow is essential for interacting with robotic fabrication processes, so that they can react to input such as user interaction or sensor data. In this research, we combine two visual programming environments, utilizing Grasshopper for defining complex, robotic toolpaths, and Unity Visual Scripting for controlling the overall process flow and process interaction. Through that, we want to enable architects and designers to define more complex, interactive production processes, with accessible, bespoke user-interfaces allowing non-experts to operate these processes - a crucial step for the commercialization of innovations. This approach is evaluated in a case study that creates a mobile, urban microfactory that prototypically fabricates location-specific objects through additive manufacturing.