Interesting read. As for simulation of construction scenarios, there are physics engines that support this. Checkout AGX Dynamics from Algoryx: http://www.algoryx.com/
Thanks for the share. I do actually think construction seems like it would be very difficult to automate, so to some extent I understand the unwillingness! But with AI and robotics hardware getting much better, and the workforce shrinking, it does seem like the time is right.
I have recently written about whether "it does seem like the time is right." Rethinking how the built environment is designed and constructed would be a better approach imo than applying a generalized implementation to how we currently build, particularly because of your bookended argument about housing costs and western politics.
Thanks Nick! I think we should see a holistic solution; none of the robots in this article are general purpose, so I could easily see changes to manufacturing (prefab parts) combining with some of these for leveling ground, laying foundations, facing walls, etc
Didn’t realize construction costs were outstripping inflation.
Traditional housing is certainly hard to automate, though think the 3D-printed housing idea could be more approachable.
Yeah I think we will see a mix of solutions, with more factory-built prefab parts as well as specialized automation.
Interesting read. As for simulation of construction scenarios, there are physics engines that support this. Checkout AGX Dynamics from Algoryx: http://www.algoryx.com/
There are plenty of papers using AGX for developing solutions for autonomous construction: https://www.algoryx.se/publications/
Interesting, it does seem like something that would need special handling in physics engines.
Are you familiar with Construction Physics? Great read overall but in particular he often writes about the stubborn refusal of construction to automate, e.g. https://open.substack.com/pub/constructionphysics/p/where-are-the-robotic-bricklayers
Thanks for the share. I do actually think construction seems like it would be very difficult to automate, so to some extent I understand the unwillingness! But with AI and robotics hardware getting much better, and the workforce shrinking, it does seem like the time is right.
I have recently written about whether "it does seem like the time is right." Rethinking how the built environment is designed and constructed would be a better approach imo than applying a generalized implementation to how we currently build, particularly because of your bookended argument about housing costs and western politics.
Great read, thanks for posting!
Thanks Nick! I think we should see a holistic solution; none of the robots in this article are general purpose, so I could easily see changes to manufacturing (prefab parts) combining with some of these for leveling ground, laying foundations, facing walls, etc