FutureHome: An integrated construction automation approach

TLDR

FutureHome is the first global construction project to introduce the ICA concept, aiming to unify design, planning, and robotization in house building. The project integrates prefabricated modules, a global planning strategy, a robotized crane for assembling large 3‑D modules, and a control system that reduces positioning, rotation, and swinging errors. Its main advantage is the integration of these stages under a common data and concept, and the developed control strategy effectively lowers assembly errors.

Abstract

This article presents the results of the FutureHome project, the first global project in the construction industry that introduces the ICA concept. The design, planning, and onsite robotization stages of house-building construction have been presented. The main advantage introduced by FutureHome is the integration of the three stages under common data and concept. The article focuses on the architectural design of residential houses and office buildings by using prefabricated modules. The design takes into account the prefabrication and onsite assembly. For efficient construction, a global planning strategy has been developed that integrates the prefabrication, transportation, and onsite processes. Finally, the robotized crane for the assembly of big 3-D modules with small tolerances is presented. The control strategy for adequate assembly with the reduction of positioning errors, rotation errors, and swinging of the modules, has been developed and tested.