Construction tools manufacturer Hilti has unveiled a BIM-driven construction jobsite robot, Jaibot.
The semi-autonomous robot is designed to assist mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) contractors with ceiling-drilling, and help tackle productivity, safety, and labor shortage challenges.
Using data from the BIM model, Jaibot locates itself accurately indoors, drills the holes dust-controlled, and marks them according to the trade, according Hilti.
"The productivity of the construction industry has been lagging behind other sectors for years," said Jan Doongaji, Member of the Executive Board, Hilti Group. "Margin pressure and shortages of skilled labor are already facts of life in our industry and make it increasingly difficult to overcome productivity shortfalls.
"With Jaibot, and in close collaboration with our customers, we are further stepping toward realizing the efficiency that digital transformation can and will bring to construction sites," added Doongaji.
ALSO SEE: A robotic dog becomes part of Swinerton’s construction technology arsenal
Safety played an important role in the development of the Jaibot. It is designed to assist tradespeople in physically demanding, repetitive installation tasks such as drilling numerous holes overhead for many mechanical, electrical or plumbing installations. It is navigated by the worker via remote control and uses reference data from a robotic total station, the Hilti PLT 300. Holes within reach are drilled automatically.
"We looked at which routine work on the construction site is among the most stressful, and that is primarily overhead work," said Julia Zanona, Product Manager for Robotics at Hilti. "From the beginning, it was important to us to develop a robotic solution that supports our customers where it is most needed. The Hilti Jaibot takes over the most strenuous and exhausting tasks, working alongside the installation team."
Related Stories
AEC Tech | Sep 6, 2016
Innovation intervention: How AEC firms are driving growth through R&D programs
AEC firms are taking a page from the tech industry, by infusing a deep commitment to innovation and disruption into their cultural DNA.
Hardware | Aug 11, 2016
Kyocera introduces the DuraForce PRO, a rugged smartphone equipped with an HD action camera (UPDATED)
The Super Wide View HD Action Camera and rugged design allow users to capture their adventures on land, air, or sea.
AEC Tech | Jun 27, 2016
If ‘only the paranoid survive,’ what does it take to thrive?
“Sooner or later, something fundamental in your business world will change.” The late Andrew Grove (1936-2016), Co-founder of tech giant Intel Corp., lived by these words.
AEC Tech | Jun 17, 2016
Driverless cars could soon start impacting commercial, retail project design
Offsite parking and more space for valet parking lines are among the foreseeable changes.
3D Printing | Jun 14, 2016
By 2021, 3D concrete printing is projected to be a $56.4 million industry
The 3D concrete printing industry is expected to more than double in size within the next five years.
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 13, 2016
The race to digitize the globe with 3D imagery
Tech firms are creating a highly-detailed virtual planet available instantly for those who would like to scrutinize it. SmithGroupJJR's Stephen Conschafter details the new technologies being used to map our world.
Sponsored | AEC Tech | Jun 9, 2016
With all these sharks in the water… (No Predictions Here...Part 2)
Rather than fighting to control the proliferation of apps, perhaps we should be training our eyes to look for signs of long-term viability among all the fins in the water
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 7, 2016
Conquer computational design: 5 tips for starting your journey
Data-driven design expert Nathan Miller offers helpful advice for getting your firm ready to use CD tools and concepts.
BIM and Information Technology | Jun 7, 2016
6 ways smart AEC firms are using computational design methods
Rapid prototyping, custom plug-ins, and data dashboards are among the common applications for computational design.
AEC Tech | May 31, 2016
As commercial buildings get ‘smarter,’ concerns rise over cybercrime
As buildings become increasingly connected, opportunistic hackers have countless avenues into a building’s network.
