The Master in Robotics and Advanced Construction (MRAC) seeks to train a new generation of interdisciplinary professionals who are capable of facing our growing need for a more sustainable and optimised construction ecosystem. The Master is focused on the emerging design and market opportunities arising from novel robotic and advanced manufacturing systems.
Through a mixture of seminars, workshops, and studio projects, the master programme challenges the traditional processes in the Construction Sector. It investigates how advances in robotics and digital fabrication tools change the way we build and develop processes and design tools for such new production methods.
EU generate 25-30% of all waste from construction and demolition (C&D) activities, much of which remains underutilized or sent to landfills. Context whilst global temperatures are rising towards +4°c, building facades are a main contributors to the urban heat island effect within cities.2050 about 70 % of the world’s population will live in cities.The building … Read more
Introduction In a world where natural resources are increasingly scarce, the construction industry faces a crucial challenge: reducing material waste and maximizing the use of available resources. Wood, a traditionally used construction material, is at the center of this issue. Every year, millions of tons of wood are discarded or underutilized due to its irregular … Read more
Robotic Fabrication of Friction-Based Timber Joinery: Burr Puzzle Assembly This research explores robotic assembly of friction-based interlocking timber joints using the burr puzzle as a case study. The puzzle’s tight tolerances and sequential assembly pose challenges. Through modeling and robotic execution, the study shows that while a single-robot approach is feasible, dual robots are necessary … Read more
Workflow for Detection (Transformation to the Real World) Test for getting the points in real world Workflow for Detection (Getting points into the Trajectory) Test for getting the points in real world Workflow for Detection (Processing on Point Cloud) Test for getting the points in real world Machina Connection for ABB_6700 (Simulation)
Digital Transformation of Discarded Logs for Structural and Design Applications Re_Shape is a design and innovation project that addresses a major blind spot in the forestry industry: the waste of tree trunks that are curved, bifurcated, or otherwise irregular and therefore excluded from traditional processing systems. These logs are typically downgraded into low-value products like … Read more
Github : https://github.com/j-albo/scanning-wood-waste INTRODUCTION Currently, only 15% of wood waste is recycled globally, while up to 60% of felled trees remain unused. Many irregular pieces that do not meet industrial standards are discarded without leveraging their structural and aesthetic potential. Our goal is to rethink these waste materials through scanning, analysis, and digital transformation, converting them into … Read more
Introduction In this exercise, our objective was to scan a physical object and use the acquired data to generate a toolpath for non-planar 3D printing. To achieve this, we integrated tools such as Grasshopper, Python, and ROS (Robot Operating System) and conducted multiple tests to optimize the scanning strategy and post-processing. Methodology To achieve non-planar … Read more
Introduction to Robotic Operating Systems Github repository: https://github.com/sashakraeva/MRAC-ur-perception Introduction his course provided a thorough introduction to the Robot Operating System (ROS), teaching us essential skills in robotic software development. We learned about key ROS concepts like nodes, topics, messages, and services. Using robotic perception as case studies, we understood how ROS connected robots, sensors, and … Read more
Introduction The exploration of robotic fabrication with traditional techniques has become increasingly important in the ceramic industry, opening up new possibilities for innovation, efficiency and mass production. This research, in collaboration with Heatherwick Studio, bridges traditional artistry and robotic innovation, using only a fan brush to explore creative possibilities in ceramic glazing. Design Methodology The … Read more
Introduction This project was done in collaboration with Heatherwick Studio. Our starting point was a problem that emerged when patterned ceramic tiles were deployed at scale. Specifically, factory-produced tiles create repetitive patterns, which detract from their crafted intricacy. On the other end of the spectrum, hand glazing is a highly skilled and time-consuming process that … Read more
github: https://github.com/intellection-mrac/tres_mosqueteros.git 1. Intro When we think of craftsmanship, we imagine a world of deep expertise—one that is developed differently from the academic theories taught in universities. Craftspeople spend years under the guidance of masters, becoming part of a lineage that passes down specialized knowledge honed through time and experience. This process is more than … Read more
Github : https://github.com/MRAC-IAAC/YAKISUGI.TORCH Overview This project combines a thermal camera and an ESP32 to capture and analyze thermal data and distance measurements. It was developed as part of the YAKISUGI Torch Project, a system designed to optimize and standardize the traditional Japanese wood-burning technique for enhanced durability, pest resistance, and waterproofing. About the YAKISUGI Method: The YAKISUGI … Read more
INTRO As part of the “Anatomy of a Machine – Shape” course, we engaged in an exercise that explores the possibilities of robotic material manipulation through various tools and techniques. Our objective was to research and experiment with sustainable, accessible, and locally available materials, applying scientific and creative principles to produce unique prototypes. This process … Read more
Introduction This seminar invites students to explore making custom made spillers controlled by Arduino and a 6-axes robotic arm in order to paint spills on canvas with black acrylic paint. Context Recently we have clearly observed immense changes in production, prototyping, and innovation that has been influenced by open source software, firmware and hardware. Human … Read more
