Abstract

The use of swarm robotics in the field of architecture research has gained attention recently as a potential technique for assembling structural components (e.g. Victor et al., 2021). A review for the current state-of-the-art of swarm robotic fabrication strategies will be conducted, with the goal of identifying existing design and deployment of swarm-based construction systems for a hypothetical project (TBD/graduation project) aligned with the D2RP&A approach (Bier et al., 2020). The capabilities and limitations of swarm robotics in the construction industry will be examined with a special focus on the discovery of robust algorithms or systems for coordinating robotic fabrication and/or assembly tasks. The technical feasibility of swarm-based systems will also be discussed for both earth and far-earth applications, exploring 3D printing and milling applications using a multi-agent system. The social and ethical implications of using swarm robotics in the construction industry are also addressed. Concluding with a discussion of future directions for research in this area, including prototype development with the goal to demonstrate deployment of swarm-based construction systems.

This research will provide technical knowledge for the thesis project which will likely be focused on the digital technology aspects of architectural design. Specific for the RB Lab, this paper can provide a literature review research for technical knowledge in the field of swarm robotics for future applications of multiple robotic devices for fabrication or assembly.

Keywords

swarm robotics, human-robot interaction, robotic construction systems, digital fabrication, design informatics

References

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