PurposeThe construction industry is undergoing a transformation driven by the need to optimize workflow, maximize value and eliminate waste - principles outlined in the transformation-flow-value (TFV) model, widely regarded as the theoretical cornerstone of Lean Construction. Lean Construction 4.0 builds upon these principles by integrating advanced technologies and digitalization to create a more efficient, responsive and human-centered construction process. Within this context, autonomous inspection robot systems hold immense potential to transform the construction industry by automating essential tasks that are often hazardous and non-value-adding.Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces a human-centered design framework for autonomous inspection robot systems, which is validated through a case study, addressing the need for human-centered design, value-driven development, adaptability and information flow management in robot-driven system development.FindingsA case study demonstrates the framework's application, showing that the robot inspection system significantly improved usability, enhanced information flow efficiency, minimized human involvement in hazardous inspection tasks and increased value generation.Originality/valueThe framework integrates principles of human-centered design, lean startup methodology and agile development, guiding developers through four distinct phases: empathize and define, ideate and prototype, develop and deploy and monitor and improve.

Today, due to the widening of the wealth gap, the intensification of climate change, and the acceleration of both population growth and population aging, our cities are being tested by multiple economic, environmental, and social challenges, including, but not limited to, urban sprawl, urban gentrification, marginalization, housing crisis, tent city, urban flooding, urban heat island, environmental migrants, urban slums, tent cities, urban aging, and empty nesters [...]

The transition towards a Circular Economy (CE) in the construction sector is essential to achieving sustainable, inclusive smart cities. This study examines the integration of CE principles into construction policies across four key global contexts: the European Union (focusing on Italy and Germany), the United States, and Japan. Through a comparative policy analysis, the research identifies best practices, implementation barriers, and the role of digitalization in advancing CE strategies. In Europe, CE is embedded in policy frameworks such as the Green Deal and the New Circular Economy Action Plan, driving the shift toward sustainable urban development. The United States, while in the early stages of CE adoption, is fostering circular initiatives at local levels, particularly in waste management and building deconstruction. Japan’s policy landscape integrates CE within a broader strategy for resource efficiency, emphasizing technological innovation. The findings highlight the necessity of a research-driven approach to inform policies that leverage digital tools, such as Building Information Modeling and Digital Product Passports, to enhance material traceability and urban circularity. This study contributes to the global effort of designing smart cities that are not only technologically advanced but also environmentally and socially sustainable through the adoption of CE principles in the built environment.

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.

The drive towards enhanced efficiency, precision, and automation in the realm of building façade renovation is a salient factor in this paradigm shift. This transition is characterized by the need for streamlined processes that encompass design, fabrication, and installation. This paper expounds upon an integrated workflow that combines data acquisition, geometric modeling, and robotic assembly to automate the manufacturing of prefabricated facade modules for building renovation. The workflow consists of several steps. First, a structured online data acquisition platform has been developed to standardize the digital modeling process, providing users with a guided approach from basic project input to BIM (Building Information Modeling) -compatible outputs. Next, to enhance the precision of facade modeling from the previous step, a geometry estimation method based on AprilTag is utilized. This method facilitates sub-millimeter accuracy through photogrammetric calibration and plane fitting. These geometric definitions are subsequently transferred to a CAM (computer-assisted manufacturing) pipeline, which enables automated detailing and fabrication of panels using industry-standard software. The final step involves robotic assembly driven by a robotic manipulator with a vision-assisted system for flexible pick-and-place operations. The system demonstrated sub-centimeter assembly precision and reduced manual layout and clash-checking time in different case studies. The proposed system offers a scalable and precise solution for energy-efficient building renovation through a seamless connection between digital modeling and robotic execution.

Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in Assistive and Robotic Kitchen Technologies for Aging Society: A Scoping Review Rongbo Hu, Ami Ogawa, Borja García de Soto, Thomas Bock Pages 561-568 (2024 Proceedings of the 41st ISARC, Lille, France, ISBN 978-0-6458322-1-1, ISSN 2413-5844) Abstract: The world's population is rapidly aging. According to the United Nations, nearly 10% of the world's population is over 65 years old. The aging population crisis is arguably one of the most pressing challenges to the future well-being of humanity. The kitchen is an essential place for human activities, and cooking holds significant importance for older adults, serving as a key measure of their capacity for independent living. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in ensuring that older individuals receive the necessary nutrition to maintain good health. Naturally, the investigation of assistive kitchen technologies emerges as a compelling and significant field of research. However, there are no existing reviews that specifically address assistive kitchen and cooking technologies designed for vulnerable populations such as older adults or individuals with disabilities. Therefore, this paper provides a systematic literature review of the trends, challenges, and opportunities in emerging assistive kitchen and cooking technologies for the past decade. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology was adopted for the review. As a result, 100 peer-reviewed publications from 29 countries were included in this review. These studies cover six major research topics on assistive and robotic kitchens. As a result, the trends, challenges, and opportunities of the current technologies are analyzed, and a modular and adaptable smart kitchen is proposed. The study will fill the scientific gap and lay the groundwork for future development of assistive kitchen technology. Keywords: Activity Recognition, Artificial Intelligence, Disabilities, Cooking, Gerontechnology, Population Aging, PRISMA, Robotics, Sensing, Smart Home DOI: https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2024/0073 Download fulltext Download BibTex Download Endnote (RIS) TeX Import to Mendeley

Digital Transformation, Sustainability and Construction 5.0 Ming Shan Ng, Thomas Bock, Fabian Kastner, Silke Langenberg Pages 1222-1229 (2024 Proceedings of the 41st ISARC, Lille, France, ISBN 978-0-6458322-1-1, ISSN 2413-5844) Abstract: The United Nations has set the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for the society, the environment and the economy with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Countries act in collaborative partnership to take transformative steps to shift industries and society onto a sustainable and resilient path. Among all, digital transformation is one key domain of transformation to achieve sustainability. In the architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) sector, the industry is slowly adopting digital transformation to different extents such as the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), computational tools, as well as automation in design and construction. Despite the commonly known practices and benefits of digital transformation such as productivity increase, the impacts of such transformation on sustainability have not yet been fully examined in research. The industry entails the corresponding digital transformation practices and their relationships with sustainability, so as to consider appropriate strategies. This work first investigates how the current practice in AECO adopts digital transformation, with case studies of the Japanese industry as examples; this is followed by the study of the relationships between digital transformation practices and the SDGs based on existing literature. Hence, the strategy propositions to assist the industry in current practice are elaborated. The research contributes to science by taking an initial step to examine the relationships between digital transformation and sustainability and present ready-to-adopt strategy propositions. Future research includes in-depth validations of the strategies and comparisons of the approaches in Japan with other countries. Keywords: Digital Transformation, Sustainability, SDGs, Construction 5.0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2024/0158 Download fulltext Download BibTex Download Endnote (RIS) TeX Import to Mendeley

Within the context of an aging global population, the demographic structure of emerging economies is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Emerging economies have a large population base and rapid economic development, but they are ill-prepared to deal with population aging. Limited resources force many older adults to face health issues such as chronic diseases and loss of physical independence, exacerbating the burden of traditional family and societal elderly care. Uncontrollable events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and regional conflicts have exacerbated the plight of older adults. Improving the quality of life and health of older adults has become a development priority in emerging economies in the face of a rapidly aging population. The development of smart cities has brought with it many available digital technologies, and the consequent development of smart aging offers endless possibilities for improving the quality of life and health of older people, making cities more inclusive of older people. Researchers from developed economies have attempted to address the health issues of older adults through a technology that combines physical exercise and digital technology called Exergame. However, existing projects are not suitable for older adults in emerging economies due to differences in national conditions. The aim of this project is therefore to propose a universal approach to designing a health-promoting Exergame system in the format of a virtual urban community to help emerging economies cope with aging populations, making cities more inclusive. To verify the feasibility of this approach, the authors designed an expandable Exergame called “Fit Islands”, using China as a case study. Based on the initial demonstration, the authors conducted functional tests. The result is that Fit Islands can meet the development objective of motivating Chinese older people to increase their physical activity, providing initial evidence of the feasibility of an Exergame system to promote healthy aging in emerging economies. The application of Fit Islands demonstrates the feasibility of the universal Exergame development method, which can, in principle, provide comprehensive and practical guidance for other countries.

Prefabricated modules are being used to renovate the building envelope. However, compared to manual methods, the design and prefabricated module’s definition is time consuming. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of the prefabricated layout definition processes by incorporating automation and computational design. The purpose of this paper is to present a semi-automated definition of the layout of the prefabricated modules with the only input of the existing building facade being the Point Cloud. In this research, a novel step-by-step workflow was developed. More precisely, an algorithm was developed that processes the coordinates of each point of the cloud and generates the layout of the prefabricated modules. To validate the workflow and the algorithm, four facades were tested, considering two parameters: (a) working time and (b) output accuracy. According to the results, it was concluded that spending more time achieving an accurate laser data acquisition can be a good strategy to obtain the primary layout with sufficient precision.

Fit Islands: Designing a Multifunctional Exergame to Promote Healthy Aging for Chinese Older Adults Zixin Shen, Rongbo Hu, Dong Wan, Ami Ogawa, Thomas Bock Pages 529-536 (2024 Proceedings of the 41st ISARC, Lille, France, ISBN 978-0-6458322-1-1, ISSN 2413-5844) Abstract: Emerging economies are ill-prepared to deal with population aging. Uncontrollable events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and regional conflicts have exacerbated the plight of older adults. The consequent development of smart aging offers endless possibilities for improving the quality of life and health of older adults. In this paper, the authors propose a universal approach to designing a health-promoting Exergame system in the format of a virtual village for emerging economies to cope with aging populations. To verify the feasibility, the authors designed an expandable Exergame called "Fit Islands", using China as a case study. Based on the initial demonstration the authors conducted functional tests. The result is that Fit Islands can meet the development objective of motivating Chinese older people to increase their physical activity, providing initial evidence of the feasibility of an Exergame system to promote healthy aging in emerging economies. The application of Fit Islands demonstrates the feasibility of the universal Exergame development method, which can, in principle, provide comprehensive and practical guidance for other countries. Keywords: Aging in China, COVID-19 Pandemic, Digital Technology, Exergame, Health, Population Aging, Serious Game, Silver Economy, Smart Aging DOI: https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2024/0069 Download fulltext Download BibTex Download Endnote (RIS) TeX Import to Mendeley

Population aging is arguably one of the most serious challenges facing human society. It is not only a severe crisis in the developed world but also a rigorous threat to emerging economies. Therefore, vigorous measures need to be taken to mitigate the impact of aging society. This chapter proposes a procedure model as the foundation to systematically develop gerontechnological solutions. Based on the analysis of the state-of-the-art assistive smart furniture and smart home solutions and the requirements of older adults, a service system called Ambient Rehabilitation Kit that transforms clinical and care environments into personalized modular sensing, prevention, and intervention systems was proposed, encouraging older adults to become healthier through various activities. To achieve that goal, several modular smart interior devices integrating advanced sensing and assistive technologies were developed which seamlessly materialize the care concepts and functionality. Meanwhile, a strategy for testing and exhibiting the system was proposed. Furthermore, this chapter also introduces a framework for the cost-benefit analysis of the gerontechnological solutions compared to traditional care methods. Finally, in order to mitigate the severe threat imposed by rapid population aging to the social sustainability of emerging economies, the prospects for implementing the Ambient Rehabilitation Kit in China's market are discussed, and a research and development action plan is proposed based on the results of a nationwide opinion survey.

The rising global energy demand has made it essential to reduce energy consumption in the residential building stock. Adding a new insulating envelope with Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) onto the existing buildings' facade is one way to achieve zero energy consumption in residential buildings. The ENSNARE project aims to semi-automate this process by using prefabricated facade modules and developing new building data acquisition techniques. Prior to this research project, an analysis was carried out and several research gaps were identified. One of the obstacles to using prefabricated modules with RES is that the layout needs to be drawn and adjusted during different phases of the project. That is time-consuming. For this reason, this article describes two new solutions: (1) automated drafting of the optimized layout of prefabricated modules of the facade and the number of solar panels based on the existing residential building model, and (2) automated adjustment of the layout depending on the phase of the renovation project and the accuracy of the measurements in each step. The proposed semi-automated approach has the potential to significantly reduce the time used in drafting the layout of the prefabricated modules, which benefits the whole renovation process, contributing to a more sustainable future for the residential building stock.

Overview of robotic shotcrete technologies with basalt reinforcement Thomas Bock , Viacheslav Aseev , Alexey Bulgakov Pages 609-612 (2023 Proceedings of the 40th ISARC, Chennai, India, ISBN 978-0-6458322-0-4, ISSN 2413-5844) Abstract: The article provides an overview of current developments in shotcrete technology, presents examples of construction robots that provide robotization of such technologies, and also provides a reinforcement model for a machined structure, which is designed to improve the quality and automate the shotcrete process using basalt fiber Keywords: Shotcrete, Basalt, Robotization, Reinforcement DOI: https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2023/0084 Download fulltext Download BibTex Download Endnote (RIS) TeX Import to Mendeley

UAV for target placement in buildings for retrofitting purposes Kepa Iturralde, Wenlan Shen, Tao Ma, Soroush Fazeli, Hükar Suci, Runfeng Lyu, Weihang Li, Jui Wen Yeh, Phillip Hübner, Nikhita Kurupakulu Venkat, Thomas Bock Pages 593-596 (2023 Proceedings of the 40th ISARC, Chennai, India, ISBN 978-0-6458322-0-4, ISSN 2413-5844) Abstract: The use of UAVs in the construction industry is a rather novel concept whose applications are not widespread yet. This research aims to develop a UAV with an end effector used to fix targets on a building façade. With the use of this application, the use of manual force and cranes can be eliminated. The UAV also can reach places with complicated geometry and greater heights which is difficult to be performed manually. The finite element analysis was performed before manufacturing and the flight simulation was performed using ROS. Results are still ongoing but promising. Keywords: UAV, end effector, simulation, ROS DOI: https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2023/0080 Download fulltext Download BibTex Download Endnote (RIS) TeX Import to Mendeley Presentation Video: https://youtu.be/LXJncuH2gds

Construction Automation and Robotics for Concrete Construction: Case Studies on Research, Development, and Innovations Rongbo Hu , Wen Pan , Kepa Iturralde , Thomas Linner , Thomas Bock Pages 683-690 (2023 Proceedings of the 40th ISARC, Chennai, India, ISBN 978-0-6458322-0-4, ISSN 2413-5844) Abstract: 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. Keywords: Automated Construction Machinery, Concrete Construction, Construction Robots, Robot-Oriented Design DOI: https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2023/0095 Download fulltext Download BibTex Download Endnote (RIS) TeX Import to Mendeley Presentation Video: https://youtu.be/9TZsaczJiSI

Mathematical description of concrete laying robots Vladimir Travush , Alexey Bulgakov , Thomas Bock , Wen-der Yu , Ekaterina Pakhomova Pages 200-207 (2023 Proceedings of the 40th ISARC, Chennai, India, ISBN 978-0-6458322-0-4, ISSN 2413-5844) Abstract: The object of the research is robots with a manipulation system for concrete-laying operations. The kinematic scheme of a robot with an articulated distributive arm, providing delivery of concrete to any point of the erected object and allowing to bypass various kinds of encountered obstacles, is presented. The closed loops in the form of three- and four-links, which make up the manipulation system, are considered and mathematically described, which is conditioned by the use of a hydraulic drive. On the basis of geometrical approach connections between them are defined, as well as dependences of their velocities and accelerations are established. The description of the dynamics of the manipulating system is made on the basis of the Lagrange method, formulated through the D'Alamber principle, which allowed to obtain the resulting equations in a convenient vector-matrix form. The problem of planning the trajectories of a robotized concrete-laying arm nozzle on the examples of monolithic buildings and structures erection by means of sliding, repositionable and volumetric formwork has been solved. Approximation methods are used to form the time laws of changes in the generalized coordinates of the manipulation system. Keywords: Robot, Manipulator, Concrete, Path Planning, Mathematical Modell, Approximation DOI: https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2023/0029 Download fulltext Download BibTex Download Endnote (RIS) TeX Import to Mendeley