Publications / 1989 Proceedings of the 6th ISARC, San Francisco, USA

Task Identification for Construction Automation

Laura Demsetz
Pages 95-102 (1989 Proceedings of the 6th ISARC, San Francisco, USA, ISSN 2413-5844)
Abstract:

Recent work in construction automation has proceeded in two directions: the development of automated and robotic equipment, and the identification of construction tasks that are good candidates for automation. Previous task identification studies have focused on total automation using robotic manipulators. However, approaches to automation in manufacturing and success of partially automated heavy construction equipment indicate that this focus is too narrow. To avoid a priori assumptions regarding the extent of automation and configuration of automated equipment, a two step procedure for task identification is proposed. The first step, preliminary selection, is based solely on the potential for the anticipated benefits of automation. In the second step, conceptual design, an interdisciplinary team examines the various ways in which each of the previously selected tasks could be divided between man and machine. In this paper, recommendations are made regarding the use of benefit data in preliminary selection, the composition of the design team is addressed, and a framework to guide the design effort is presented. The two step task identification procedure proposed here should help ensure consideration of the full spectrum of approaches to automation.

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