Adaptive robotic platform for the installation of refurbishment panels

Abstract

Abstract Achieving climate neutrality in the building sector by 2050 requires a comprehensive thermal upgrade of the existing building stock. Currently, heating and cooling account for around 32% of total energy consumption. However, conventional refurbishment methods are highly manual, require complex scaffolding, and involve significant physical effort. Our work presents a novel concept for a scaffold-free installation of ventilated rain-screen panels using a robotic facade platform lifted by a standard construction crane. The system combines an articulated robotic arm with an adaptive trajectory control strategy, enabling precise panel placement in the unstructured environment of construction sites. The developed prototype was tested in indoor and outdoor test scenarios. Results show consistent sub-millimeter placement accuracy. The proposed approach demonstrates how robotics can improve energy-efficient building refurbishment especially with regard to safety, precision, and on-site efficiency.