Robotic Masonry Arch Construction Considering Object Recognition and Human-Robot Interaction

Abstract

Amid the ongoing technological revolution, the AEC industry confronts the persistent disjunction between state-of-the-art robotic construction technologies and their practical implementation. This project challenges the traditional unidirectional instruction flow from humans to robots, marking a significant improvement in conventional construction practices. It investigates the feasibility of endowing robots with advanced object detection capabilities to autonomously identify material variations, promptly communicating challenges to human operators during construction. Through an integrated robotic masonry arch design and construction deployed in a system featuring a human interface, object detection, and robot controller with a graphical user interface implemented using the QT framework, the project enables robots to independently perceive and select construction materials. It transforms them into active human collaborators, revolutionizing construction and opening new avenues for precision, adaptability, and efficient communication of robotic construction.