TY - CHAP A1 - Karamara, Merve A1 - Bogdanski, Moritz-Ole A1 - Zöller, Raphael A1 - Albrecht, Sophie Viktoria A1 - Linner, Thomas A1 - Bock, Thomas A1 - Braml, Thomas T1 - Increasing efficiency and sustainability: A comparative analysis of concrete 3D printing and traditional methods based on case studies T2 - MATEC Web of Conferences N2 - At the forthcoming Concrete Solutions 2025 conference, the subject of concrete 3D printing will be explored in the “Case Studies” category, with a comparison to traditional methods. Concrete 3D printing offers several significant advantages, including the ability to create complex geometries, increased material efficiency, faster build times and cost savings. These are particularly important in the context of the current skilled labour shortage and emphasis on resource efficiency in construction. Nevertheless, challenges persist in the areas of machine reliability, process integration, and material adaptation to meet the requirements of 3D printing. The case studies will present modular and design-engineering-based strategies for the development of efficient, scalable automation solutions that integrate 3D printing into existing processes and allow for project-specific customisation through selective automation. These findings provide a robust framework for industrial applications that enhance efficiency and adaptability. By comparing concrete 3D printing to conventional methods, the insights offer a foundation for advancing automated production in construction, promoting scalable, resource-efficient, and economically sustainable practices that address the industry’s evolving demands. Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202540913005 N1 - Corresponding author der OTH Regensburg: Merve Karamara VL - 409 PB - EDP Sciences ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Laumer, Tobias A1 - Stichel, Thomas A1 - Bock, Thomas A1 - Amend, Philipp A1 - Schmidt, Michael T1 - Characterization of temperature-dependent optical material properties of polymer powders T2 - AIP Conference Proceedings N2 - In former works, the optical material properties of different polymer powders used for Laser Beam Melting (LBM) at room temperature have been analyzed. With a measurement setup using two integration spheres, it was shown that the optical material properties of polymer powders differ significantly due to multiple reflections within the powder compared to solid bodies of the same material. Additionally, the absorption behavior of the single particles shows an important influence on the overall optical material properties, especially the reflectance of the powder bed. Now the setup is modified to allow measurements at higher temperatures. Because crystalline areas of semi-crystalline thermoplastics are mainly responsible for the absorption of the laser radiation, the influence of the temperature increase on the overall optical material properties is analyzed. As material, conventional polyamide 12 and polypropylene as new polymer powder material, is used. By comparing results at room temperature and at higher temperatures towards the melting point, the temperature-dependent optical material properties and their influence on the beam-matter interaction during the process are discussed. It is shown that the phase transition during melting leads to significant changes of the optical material properties of the analyzed powders. KW - laser beam melting KW - material qualification KW - Optical Material Properties KW - Polymers Y1 - 2014 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4918508 IS - 1 PB - AIP Publishing ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Bulgakov, Alexey A1 - Bock, Thomas A1 - Otto, Jens A1 - Buzalo, Natalia A1 - Linner, Thomas ED - Tateyama, Kazuyoshi ED - Ishii, Kazuo ED - Inoue, Fumihiro T1 - Requirements for Safe Operation and Facility Maintenance of Construction Robots T2 - Proceedings of the 37th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2020): From Demonstration to Practical Use, To New Stage of Construction Robot, October 27-28, 2020, Kitakyushu, Japan N2 - Construction robots are devices of increased danger and, under certain conditions, can become a source of injuries to maintenance personnel, as well as lead to the failure of technological equipment. Most of the accidents are associated with the presence of maintenance personnel in the working area during programming, configuration, training, repair and maintenance of robots. The article describes measures to ensure safety during the maintenance of robots and manipulators. The stages of preparing the construction industry for the use of manipulators, robots and robotic complexes are presented. A system of measures for preparing equipment for use and its maintenance during operation is proposed. KW - Construction Manipulators and Robots KW - Maintenance of Robotic Systems KW - Operation KW - Safety KW - Service Y1 - 2020 SN - 978-952-94-3634-7 U6 - https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2020/0053 SP - 369 EP - 376 PB - The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (I.A.A.R.C.) ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Ng, Ming Shan A1 - Bock, Thomas A1 - Linner, Thomas T1 - Robotization: Design for Fabrication, Assembly, Disassembly and the Circular Built Environment with Robot-Oriented Design T2 - 22th Symposium on Construction Robotics in Japan - Ongoing commitment to construction robot technology needed for a sustainable society N2 - Robotics has been gradually adopted in the construction sector to improve productivity and efficiency through automation. Recent scholars study design for automation to facilitate robotization in design and planning. Besides, it has the potential to enable circularity to assist in the current resource crisis. This article explores how robotization can foster the circular built environment with design for fabrication, assembly and disassembly in current practice. This article first presents the industry adoption of robotization through design for fabrication, assembly and disassembly (Design for X) and Robot-Oriented Design (ROD) in Japan and abroad. Secondly, based on the concept of ROD, this work investigates how this fosters the circular built environment through industry review and literature review. It is concluded with three takeaways of robotization for the circular built environment with ROD and future directions in research. The work contributes to the body of knowledge in automation in construction, construction management, technology and innovation. Y1 - 2024 UR - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384440651_Robotization_Design_for_Fabrication_Assembly_Disassembly_and_the_Circular_Built_Environment_with_Robot-Oriented_Design ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hu, Rongbo A1 - Kabouteh, Amir A1 - Pawlitza, Katja A1 - Güttler, Jörg A1 - Linner, Thomas A1 - Bock, Thomas ED - Al-Hussein, Mohamed T1 - Developing Personalized Intelligent Interior Units to Promote Activity and Customized Healthcare for Aging Society T2 - Proceedings of the 36th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2019), 21.05.2019-24.05.2019, Banff, Canada N2 - The world’s population is aging at an unprecedented pace. Aging society is not only a severe crisis in the developed world such as Germany and Japan, but also a rigorous challenge in emerging economies such as China. Many age-related diseases are fostered by the lack of physical, cognitive, and social activities. Increasing the activity level has many benefits for the elderly and can improve their independence. The research project REACH (funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under grant agreement No. 690425) aims to develop a service system that will turn clinical and care environments into personalized modular sensing, prevention, and intervention systems that encourage the elderly to become healthy through activities (e.g., physical, cognitive, socializing, personalized food, etc.). As a core research partner, the Chair of Building Realization and Robotics at Technical University of Munich developed a series of Personalized Intelligent Interior Units (PI²Us), which are a special type of smart furniture, that materialize the REACH concepts and functionality seamlessly into the different REACH use case settings. Specifically, the design and functions of the PI²Us, which consist of the PI²U-SilverArc, PI²U-MiniArc, PI²U-Bed, and PI²U-iStander, will be described in detail. In addition, a modular apartment integrating all PI²Us and key technologies in REACH is designed and simulated to create a total interior living and care environment for elderly users. Due to its modularity, parts of the apartment can be easily adapted and rapidly deployed in different REACH use case settings in four European countries, which will then help the REACH consortium execute a series of testing activities. In conclusion, this research project provides a systematic and innovative example for the world to mitigate the impact of aging society. Y1 - 2019 SN - 978-952-69524-0-6 U6 - https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2019/0032 SP - 234 EP - 241 PB - The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Pan, Wen A1 - Hu, Rongbo A1 - Linner, Thomas A1 - Bock, Thomas T1 - Developing a roadmap for implementing on-site construction automation and robotics in Hong Kong T2 - CIB World Building Congress 2019 "Constructing Smart Cities" ; 17.06.2019-21.06.2019, Hong Kong, China N2 - For a long time, the conventional construction sector in Hong Kong has been perceived as old-fashioned and lagging behind compared to many other industrial sectors. Numerous challenges are facing the construction industry, such as diminishing productivity, unstable quality, increasing demand, as well as population aging and shortage in the local labor market. One possible solution is to identify and deploy the state-of-the-art technologies that could potentially be implemented in the Hong Kong construction industry. Many studies have been documented about the design and development of a specific construction robotic system. However, there is limited literature on how to investigate the implementation and integration of a range of proposed systems in a specific, local context, and to evaluate the process and impact from short-term, mid-term, and long-term perspectives. Based on the ongoing consultancy project commissioned by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) in Hong Kong, this paper demonstrates the method adopted in proposing a systematic approach as well as the development of a comprehensive roadmap for implementing on-site construction automation and robotic technologies in the context of Hong Kong. In general, the proposed roadmap, which is structured based on the reviews of the current situation in Hong Kong's construction industry, will evaluate short-term and mid-term practical strategies and action plans. Furthermore, it will forecast a long-term perspective, aspirations, and potential business strategy. The activity of road-mapping is extended with the objective to mitigate existing risks and barriers, and to plan ahead. Eventually, it will serve as a guideline for the construction industry in Hong Kong and beyond to execute similar types of projects in the future. KW - Consultancy KW - Hong Kong KW - On-site KW - roadmap KW - Construction automation and robotics Y1 - 2019 UR - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335149370_Developing_a_roadmap_for_implementing_on-site_construction_automation_and_robotics_in_Hong_Kong ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Iturralde, Kepa A1 - Feucht, Malte A1 - Hu, Rongbo A1 - Pan, Wen A1 - Schlandt, Marcel A1 - Linner, Thomas A1 - Bock, Thomas A1 - Izard, Jean-Baptizste A1 - Eskudero, Ibon A1 - Rodriguez, Mariola A1 - Gorrotxategi, Jose A1 - Astudillo, Julen A1 - Cavalcanti Santos, João. A1 - Gouttefarde, Marc A1 - Fabritius, Marc A1 - Martin, Christoph A1 - Henninge, Tomas A1 - Stein, M. Nornes A1 - Normes, Stein M. A1 - Jacobsen, Yngve A1 - Pracucci, Alessandro A1 - Cañada, Jesus A1 - Jimenez-Vicaria, Jose David A1 - Paulotto, Carlo A1 - Alonso, Rubén A1 - Elia, Lorenzo ED - Tateyama, Kazuyoshi ED - Ishii, Kazuo ED - Inoue, Fumihiro T1 - A Cable Driven Parallel Robot with a Modular End Effector for the Installation of Curtain Wall Modules (Best Paper Award) T2 - Proceedings of the 37th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2020): From Demonstration to Practical Use, To New Stage of Construction Robot, October 27-28, 2020, Kitakyushu, Japan N2 - The installation of curtain wall modules (CWMs) is a risky activity carried out in the heights and often under unfavorable weather conditions. CWMs are heavy prefabricated walls that are lifted normally with bindings and cranes. High stability is needed while positioning in order not to damage the fragile CWMs. Moreover, this activity requires high precision while positioning brackets, the modules, and for that reason, intensive survey and marking are necessary. In order to avoid such inconveniences, there were experiences to install façade modules in automatic mode using robotic devices. In the research project HEPHAESTUS, a novel system has been developed in order to install CWMs automatically. The system consists of two subsystems: a cable driven parallel robot (CDPR) and a set of robotic tools named as Modular End Effector (MEE). The platform of the CDPR hosts the MEE. This MEE performs the necessary tasks of installing the curtain wall modules. There are two main tasks that the CDPR and MEE need to achieve: first is the fixation of the brackets onto the concrete slab, and second is the picking and placing of the CWMs onto the brackets. The first integration of the aforementioned system was carried out in a controlled environment that resembled a building structure. The results of this first test show that there are minor deviations when positioning the CDPR platform. In future steps, the deviations will be compensated by the tools of the MEE and the installation of the CWM will be carried out with the required accuracy automatically. KW - automation KW - Façade KW - On-site KW - Robotics Y1 - 2020 SN - 978-952-94-3634-7 U6 - https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2020/0204 SP - 1472 EP - 1479 PB - The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (I.A.A.R.C.) ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hu, Rongbo A1 - Linner, Thomas A1 - Wang, Suting A1 - Cheng, Wenting A1 - Liu, Xiaolong A1 - Güttler, Jörg A1 - Zhao, Charlie A1 - Lu, Yuan A1 - Bock, Thomas ED - Feng, Chen ED - Linner, Thomas ED - Brilakis, Ioannis T1 - Towards a Distributed Intelligent Home Based on Smart Furniture for China's Aging Population BT - A survey T2 - Proceedings of the 38th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC): 02.11.2021 - 04.11.2021, Dubai, United Arab Emirates N2 - Population aging is one of the major challenges facing the world. In particular, the advent of China's aging society caused by various factors will be a major threat to its future development. Therefore, serious measures need to be taken to achieve its demographic sustainability. Smart furniture can be considered as a novel subcategory of gerontechnology. One of the main outcomes of the EU-funded REACH project was a variety of smart furniture named Personalized Intelligent Interior Units (PI2Us) which served as the key component of a distributed intelligent home to promote the health and activity level of older adults. This outcome can potentially be a solution to mitigate the consequences caused by population aging. In order to understand the attitudes and opinions of Chinese older adults towards the relevant technologies, the authors conducted an opinion survey using the PI2Us as an example, which sampled more than 380 older adults in 26 out of 34 provincial-level administrative divisions of China. The survey showed that Chinese older adults in general have a highly positive attitude towards smart furniture and smart home technologies. Several other insights also can be revealed from the survey. Based on further analyses, the paper summarized why the elderly-oriented smart furniture and distributed intelligent home has the potential to thrive in China's market soon. Finally, a three-year project action plan for implementing localized solutions in cooperation with a large Chinese furniture manufacturer was presented. KW - Chinese older adults KW - Distributed intelligent home KW - Gerontechnology KW - Population aging KW - Smart furniture KW - Survey Y1 - 2021 SN - 978-952-69524-1-3 U6 - https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2021/0008 SP - 41 EP - 48 PB - International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC) ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hu, Rongbo A1 - Linner, Thomas A1 - Schmailzl, Marc A1 - Güttler, Jörg A1 - Lu, Yuan A1 - Bock, Thomas ED - Tateyama, Kazuyoshi ED - Ishii, Kazuo ED - Inoue, Fumihiro T1 - Exploring Gerontechnology for Aging-Related Diseases in Design Education: An Interdisciplinary Perspective T2 - Proceedings of the 37th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2020): From Demonstration to Practical Use, To New Stage of Construction Robot, October 27-28, 2020, Kitakyushu, Japan N2 - Aging society is not only a crisis in the developed world but also a severe challenge in some emerging economies. However, the awareness of population aging and gerontechnology is far from sufficiently addressed in the architectural design education in universities. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach in design education is urgently needed to raise the awareness of the aging crisis among the future architects, interior designers, and beyond. This article introduces a novel model of a design seminar offered by a German University, addressing population aging issues in the architecture department. The syllabus, formality, and the expected results of the seminar are revealed in detail. The participants are encouraged to apply interdisciplinary knowledge such as barrier-free architecture, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, medicine, psychology, and business to achieve the goals of the seminar. Based on the originality and degree of completion, several students' works are selected and reported, targeting a variety of diseases or syndromes related to aging, such as dementia, immobility, and tremors. Overall, participants of this seminar are motivated and have positive feedback on this seminar, oftentimes claiming that they have seldom studied similar topics in previous architecture education. This enables students from architecture as well as other fields to be better prepared to tackle the upcoming challenges such as labor shortages and infectious diseases in a rapidly aging world. Furthermore, the seminar creates novel concepts that serve as a win-win "honeypot" for both students and their instructors, potentially sparking research topics and start-ups with concepts fostered in this seminar. KW - aging-related diseases KW - Bauhaus 2.0 KW - COVID-19 KW - Dementia KW - Design education KW - Gerontechnology KW - Interdisciplinary Y1 - 2020 SN - 978-952-94-3634-7 U6 - https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2020/0102 SP - 735 EP - 742 PB - The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (I.A.A.R.C.) ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Pan, Wen A1 - Iturralde, Kepa A1 - Hu, Rongbo A1 - Linner, Thomas A1 - Bock, Thomas ED - Tateyama, Kazuyoshi ED - Ishii, Kazuo ED - Inoue, Fumihiro T1 - Adopting Off-site Manufacturing, and Automation and Robotics Technologies in Energy-efficient Building T2 - Proceedings of the 37th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2020): From Demonstration to Practical Use, To New Stage of Construction Robot, Kitakyushu, Japan, October 27-28, 2020 N2 - Delivering energy-efficient buildings or settlements has become a popular topic amongst architects, engineers, and building engineering physicists. There are many methods for improving building energy performances, both for new build projects and for retrofitting existing buildings. However, the construction industry faces some profound challenges to satisfy the increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings or other solutions and to be able to offer them at an affordable cost. A holistic approach has been adopted to validate whether automation robotics and off-site manufacturing technologies can yield positive changes in the delivery of energy-efficient buildings. This paper emphasizes the potential transformations and possible impacts on the design, construction, and installation process of an energy-efficient building once the advanced technologies are implemented. This paper also highlights case studies in multiple ongoing or past European Union (EU) Horizon 2020 research projects as well as private projects to demonstrate the applicability and technical feasibility of the proposed solution. The scenario proposed was used to demonstrate how to apply the proposal in a large-scale residential building project. In addition, the findings from this study will serve as proof of the concept of a larger research project, or as an inspiration for the construction industry to execute energy-efficient building projects in the future. KW - Construction robotic KW - Energy-efficient building KW - prefabrication Y1 - 2020 SN - 978-952-94-3634-7 U6 - https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2020/0215 SP - 1549 EP - 1555 PB - The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (I.A.A.R.C.) ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Hu, Rongbo A1 - Pan, Wen A1 - Iturralde, Kepa A1 - Linner, Thomas A1 - Bock, Thomas T1 - Construction Automation and Robotics for Concrete Construction: Case Studies on Research, Development, and Innovations T2 - Proceedings of the 40th International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2023), Chennai, India N2 - The construction industry, supported by the materials industry, is a major user of natural resources. Automation and robotics have the potential to play a key role in the development of circular construction by increasing productivity, reducing waste, increasing safety, and mitigating labor shortages. Starting with a brief synopsis of the history of construction robotics and the concept of robot-oriented design, this article presents exemplary case studies of research projects and entrepreneurial activities in which the authors have participated that have contributed to the advancement of concrete construction. The activities of the authors have systematically led to spin-offs and start-ups, especially in recent years (e.g., CREDO Robotics GmbH, ARE23 GmbH, KEWAZO GmbH, ExlenTec Robotics GmbH, etc.), which shows that the use of construction robots is becoming an important part of the construction industry. With the use of automation and robotics in the built environment especially for concrete construction, current challenges such as the housing shortage can be addressed using the leading machinery and robot technology in Germany and other parts of the world. The knowledge and know-hows gained in these endeavors will lay the groundwork for the next frontier of construction robotics beyond the construction sites. Y1 - 2023 SN - 978-0-6458322-0-4 U6 - https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2023/0095 SN - 2413-5844 SP - 683 EP - 690 PB - IAARC ER -