Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Jason Grabowski, Senior Anish Mandyam Samuel McAraw Jacob Jander
Lead Presenter's Name
Jason Grabowski
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Payal Kotecha
Abstract
Robotics and automation have varying degrees of utilization across the construction prefabrication industry. The timber prefabrication industry is uniquely positioned for the implementation of robotics and automation due to the environment being more controlled than most of the construction industry. Current developments are influenced by the evolution of "Construction 4.0/5.0," where the integration of digital technologies and robotics is transforming timber prefabrication from traditional subtractive CNC machining into a highly precise, additive, and collaborative process. The purpose of this project is to conduct a systematic literature review of the state of-the-art and near-future developments of automation and robotics in timber prefabrication construction. Current research highlights a significant move toward "location-independent" systems, such as the transportable Timber Construction (TIM) platform, which addresses the deficits in flexibility and high investment costs that have previously hindered timber companies. By implementing multi- robot configurations and mobile steel platforms, the industry has achieved milestones such as the world’s first double-story robotically assembled timber structure. These advancements maintain an extremely high degree of global assembly precision, as fabrication is directly tethered to integrated computational models and Finite Element (FE) analysis. Looking toward the future, the industry is pushing towards the integration of multi-functional building systems. While the precision of mass timber and Engineered Wood Products (EWP) is well-established, there are still challenges in developing continuous robotic logic that incorporates thermal insulation, air-tightness, and technical services. Future advancements will likely focus on enhancing human-robot collaboration (HRC) to bridge these gaps, moving beyond rigid automation toward flexible, co-operative systems that can handle the complex, multi- material elements of modern construction.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Construction Engineering and Management Commons, Manufacturing Commons, Robotics Commons
Automation and Robotics in Timber Construction Prefabrication
Robotics and automation have varying degrees of utilization across the construction prefabrication industry. The timber prefabrication industry is uniquely positioned for the implementation of robotics and automation due to the environment being more controlled than most of the construction industry. Current developments are influenced by the evolution of "Construction 4.0/5.0," where the integration of digital technologies and robotics is transforming timber prefabrication from traditional subtractive CNC machining into a highly precise, additive, and collaborative process. The purpose of this project is to conduct a systematic literature review of the state of-the-art and near-future developments of automation and robotics in timber prefabrication construction. Current research highlights a significant move toward "location-independent" systems, such as the transportable Timber Construction (TIM) platform, which addresses the deficits in flexibility and high investment costs that have previously hindered timber companies. By implementing multi- robot configurations and mobile steel platforms, the industry has achieved milestones such as the world’s first double-story robotically assembled timber structure. These advancements maintain an extremely high degree of global assembly precision, as fabrication is directly tethered to integrated computational models and Finite Element (FE) analysis. Looking toward the future, the industry is pushing towards the integration of multi-functional building systems. While the precision of mass timber and Engineered Wood Products (EWP) is well-established, there are still challenges in developing continuous robotic logic that incorporates thermal insulation, air-tightness, and technical services. Future advancements will likely focus on enhancing human-robot collaboration (HRC) to bridge these gaps, moving beyond rigid automation toward flexible, co-operative systems that can handle the complex, multi- material elements of modern construction.