A technology management system for the development of single-task construction robots
ISSN: 1471-4175
Article publication date: 16 October 2019
Issue publication date: 6 January 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the sharply growing interest worldwide of “hard” physical-mechanical robot systems for the execution of on-site construction tasks [i.e. single-task construction robots (STCRs)], the purpose of this study is to equip development projects with a systematic design-management system model that allows to integrate the different needs and aims of stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a STCR-technology management system (STCR-TMS) for the complete development cycle of STCR designs. The STCR-TMS is based on established principles from systems engineering and management and STCR-specific activities developed and tested by the authors as standalone elements in previous research work.
Findings
The application of the STCR-TMS revealed the practicability of the method and the underlying concepts to provide practical guidance for the development process. Additional findings indicate that the method is sufficiently generic and flexible for application to different types of robots and indifferent world regions. This research has also shown that key activities need to be addressed to increase the practicability of the STCR-TMS.
Originality/value
A unique characteristic of this method is the evolution with each utilization cycle. In addition, individual elements are interchangeable and can be adapted based on external circumstances. These properties allow the TMS to be applied to other fields in construction robotics. With the progression of the verification and validation of the method, know-how and certain elements can be fed into standardization activities (e.g. establishing a management system standard).
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported and partly financed by the following entities and projects: 1 Development of a façade processing robot for CIC. This project was commissioned by the Construction Industry Council Hong Kong. 2 Development of a cable driven panel installation robot in the project HEPHAESTUS: this project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 Programme (H2020/2014-2020) under Grant Agreement Number 732513. 3 Development of innovative façade renovation solutions in the project BERTIM: this project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 Programme under Grant Agreement Number 636984. 4 Development of a scenario development technique for on-site construction robot technology: this project has received funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD Grant No. 57217359) and the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (Reference No. G-HKU704/15). 5 Development of robotic solutions for elevator system installation by LEVARU: the authors thank the LEVARU team for their kind cooperation.
Citation
Linner, T., Pan, W., Hu, R., Zhao, C., Iturralde, K., Taghavi, M., Trummer, J., Schlandt, M. and Bock, T. (2020), "A technology management system for the development of single-task construction robots", Construction Innovation, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 96-111. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-06-2019-0053
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited