The main objective of this research area is to introduce the new automation and robotics processes in the construction sector. The aim is not only to increase productivity, but also to improve work safety and hygiene conditions.
Europe is facing a fast growing need for affordable, high quality housing, which can not be solved by means of traditional or conventional building technology and its associated methods of construction. One of the solutions to this problem is the application of high quality modular construction. This construction technology states building process as the assembly of pre-fabricated modules i.e. initially a modular design of the construction project is obtained, then these modules are produced in a factory, and finally, they are assembled on the construction site. The use of pre-fabrication leads to the following advantages: a) structuring of the construction process allows to apply automation and robotics and to apply computer integrated construction methods (Computer-Aided Design, Planning, Control and Supervision tools), b) reduction of the health risks of workers and improving their working conditions, c)increasing building process predictability (building process is less affected by weather conditions, there is a greater control on materials use and supply) and d) decreasing waste and increasing productivity.
C.Balaguer; M.Abderrahim. Robotics and Automation in Construction. Chapter: Trends in Robotics and Automation in Construction. pp.1-20. ISBN: 978-953-7619-13. IN-TECH. 2008.
S.Martínez; A.Jardón; C.Balaguer. Building industrialization: robotized assembly of modular products. Assembly Automation- Emerald Group Publishing Ltd . Vol. 28. No. 2. pp.134-142. 2008.
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M.Abderrahim; E.García; R.Díez; C.Balaguer. A mechatronics security system for the construction site. Automation in Construction. Vol. 14. No. 4. pp.461-467. 2005.
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C.Balaguer; M.Abderrahim. FutureHome: An integrated construction automation approach. IEEE Robotics & Automation magazine. Vol. 9. No. 1. pp.55-66. 2002.
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C.Balaguer; E.Gambao. Robotics and automation in construction. IEEE Robotics & Automation magazine. Vol. 9. No. 1. pp.4-6. 2002.
C.Balaguer; E.Gambao. Robot assembly system for computer-integrated construction. Automation in Construction. Vol. 9. No. 5. pp.479-487. 2000.
Conference publications
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C.Balaguer. Robotics and Automation in Construction industry: From hard to soft robotics. 3rd IARP Workshop on Service, Assistive and Personal Robots. Madrid. Spain. Oct, 2003.
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C.Balaguer. EU FutureHome project results
Lugar de celebración: (Holanda)
. 20th International Symposium on Robotics and Automation in Construction (ISARC?2003). Eindhoven. The Netherlands. Sep, 2003.
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M.Abderrahim; A.Giménez; A.Nombela; S.Garrido; R.Díez; V.M.Padrón; C.Balaguer. The design and Development of an Automatic Construction Crane. 18th IAARC/IFAC/IEEE International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC2001). Warsaw. Poland. Sep, 2001.
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C.Balaguer; M.Abderrahim. Título del artículo: Design of a gripping system for the automated assembly of large building. 17th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC?00). Taipei. Taiwan. Sep, 2000.
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C.Balaguer. Open issues and future possibilities in the EU construction
. 17th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC?00)
. Taipei. Taiwan. Sep, 2000.
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C.Balaguer; E.Gambao; A.Yela. A robotic system for automated masonry. 16th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC?99). Madrid. Spain. Sep, 1999.
A.Barrientos; E.Gambao; R.Saltaren; C.Balaguer; R.Aracil. Hierarchical control architecture for large range robots with static deflection. 5th IFAC Symposium on Robot Control (SYROCO?97). Nants. France. Oct, 1997.
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C.Balaguer; E.Gambao; A.Barrientos; R.Saltaren. Computer-aided methodology for design of robots in construction industry applications. 14th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC?97). Pittsburgh. USA. May, 1997.
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E.Gambao; C.Balaguer; A.Barrientos; R.Saltaren; D.M.Rivero. Robot assembly system for the construction process automation. IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA?97). Albuquerque. USA. May, 1997.