A framework for robotic excavation and dry stone construction using on-site materials

A 12-ton robot that builds stone walls and crafts landscapes with in-situ materials.
Published in Science Robotics: www.science.or...
Authors: Ryan Luke Johns, Martin Wermelinger, Ruben Mascaro, Dominic Jud, Ilmar Hurkxkens, Lauren Vasey, Margarita Chli, Fabio Gramazio, Matthias Kohler, Marco Hutter
For more information on the Circularity Park, see: gramaziokohler...
Want to see more autonomous excavators? www.gravisrobo...
Video: Ryan Luke Johns with footage from Girts Apskalns

[@CosmiaNebula]

Finally, robotic Cyclopean masonry

[@huytranvan2754]

It's like robot learning how to play Tetris in real life. Nice!

[@AerialWaviator]

Such an amazing demo. What is demonstrated here could easily be used for construction projects on the moon, mars, or, underwater on Earth. So many possibilities.

[@eelcohoogendoorn8044]

Super cool and very well executed; had the same idea when visiting mont san micheal some years ago and realizing it is harder to build something like this now than it was a thousand years ago, which is kinda crazy. The next step would be to integrate it with some level of stone shaping id say. I guess these walls look pretty good for unshaped rubble blocks; but I bet that even with just a minimum of judiciously selected shaping operations you could make such walls much more dense and rated for carrying much higher loads.

[@julmaass]

Agreed! I had the same idea for a thesis but knew I didn’t have the programming skills to execute (and couldn’t convince any of my friends to take it up). I realise how hopelessly complex it is. I think the structural stacking can be further refined to account for different external earth loads and better predict settlement. Match this with a robot that can predictably split stones into the right shapes and the ability to place a large range of stone sizes, you could start making substructures for bridges and buildings.

[@tlskillman]

Nice work! A real tour-de-force of robot technology. Congrats.

[@rjung_ch]

Love what you guys and gals do at the ETH, the future is bright! Thanks for posting! 👍💪✌

[@graemewebb7193]

I hope the engineer that signed that off has good insurance

[@BrettCooper4702]

Would like it to also use wedging stones for added safety to avoid traps when kids jump around on these walls.

[@FSK1138]

WOW!!! moon and mars other version of cource ....but this is amazing

[@omnianti0]

FAR MORE PROMISING THAN BACKFLIP HUMANOID

[@invariant47]

can it create walls in uneven terrain?

[@AndyTheCameraGuy]

this is fuckin dope

[@chaddydad1]

Heavy equipment operators not going to like loosing their jobs.

[@huytranvan2754]

I think you still need humans to monitor it on site at all time...

[@Ecthelion3918]

@@huytranvan2754 Fewer people still though

[@matthewboyd8689]

Ai is expected to take 25%-66% of current jobs by 2030 The great depression had 25% unemployment I don't think the economy will like everyone losing their jobs either. UBI might become a mandate to stabilize the economy like those checks did during the pandemic.

[@thearchitect5405]

@@matthewboyd8689 The US is likely the last country that would give in and establish any form of UBI, despite also likely being the first country to suffer.