Researchers in robotics, engineering and artificial intelligence will be joining forces in the new ARC Research Hub to make construction sites safer and more efficient.
UTS researchers grit-blasting robot helps maintain critical infrastructure. Photo: Andy Roberts
The Australian construction industry faces ongoing issues with labour shortages and slowing productivity. The new ARC Research Hub for Human-Robot Team for Sustainable and Resilient Construction aims to address these shortfalls, by spending the next 5 years exploring how the construction industry can incorporate robotics.
From automated bricklaying to self-driving vehicles, some tasks could one day be performed by robots. However, the complex nature of construction would require ongoing involvement between humans and robots.
The ARC Research Hub will be led by UTS researchers alongside experts from six universities and fifteen construction companies and industry organisations.
“Our hub will conduct truly interdisciplinary research. We have researchers from robotics, engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, safety, ethics business and social technical systems,” said Hub Director, Distinguished Professor Dikai Liu.
The Hub will build on decades of research made by Professor Liu and Australia’s leading role in pioneering the use of robotics in infrastructure.
“At UTS, we have spent the past 20 years building up a new field in infrastructure robotics. We’ve built a number of intelligent robots that perform difficult and dangerous tasks like maintenance on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and underwater structures."
This research hub builds on the work we’ve done from a technology point of view. But it will be a significant extension to address the many challenges that arise when multiple humans work with multiple robots in complex collaborations.
Distinguished Professor Dikai Liu.
The ARC Research Hub is supported by $5 million in funding from the Australian Research Council’s Industrial Transformation Research Hub scheme. University and industry partners will further contribute $6.3 million in funding with an additional $11.9 million of in-kind support.