Automation Systems and Robotic Tools for Modular Building Systems

Developments in automating traditional construction methods have been fraught with difficulty. In part, this has been due to attempts at adapting conventional robotic manipulators to suit the construction plant and equipment have evolved from different origins and there are significant differences in the requirements of each. This paper discusses these differences and examines the underlying philosophy of construction automation systems and robotic tools. Several examp[les are given of prospective robotic tools for construction and one of these, a cladding fixing robot, is described in some detail.