British researchers have embarked on a project to develop the world's first flying robots capable of autonomously assessing and manufacturing building structures to help areas suffering from natural disasters.
The collaboration involves researchers from the University of Bath, Imperial College and University College London.
The team aims to develop drones which can fly to a disaster zone, scan and model the landscape using Building Information Management (BIM) systems, design temporary shelters, and print them on the spot using an Additive Building Manufacturing (ABM) system. This could give those in need a place to live until emergency services personnel can reach them.
ABM is a key technological building revolution currently transforming the construction industry by allowing the 3D printing of buildings and building components, resulting in quicker build times and reduced material and transport costs.
However, due to their large size, ABM systems are inflexible making it difficult for them to undertake maintenance and repair work, especially in remote and rural areas.
In order to use this type of system for post-disaster reconstruction activities where the manufacturing speed of ABM would be hugely beneficial, the research team aims to develop the world's first ABM system consisting of a swarm of aerial robots that can autonomously assess and manufacture building structures.
They plan to miniaturise the ABM and give it aerial capabilities so that it can be more mobile and able to manufacture complex high-rise structures. This would enable the robots to act as flying mini-factories, where they would land at to a construction site and work together to create buildings from scratch.
“It is exciting to be working on a project where the structure has to be so light and efficient that it can be built by small flying drones,” said Dr Chris Williams, a civil engineering lecturer at the University of Bath.
Image: University of Bath