Research Topic 13: Making Robots Intelligent Assistants to Construction Workers

Research Description

Robotics presents a promising solution to reduce the workload of construction workers while addressing productivity challenges and labor shortages within the construction industry. Given the complexity and variability of construction environments, effective integration requires that robots coexist and interact with human workers on job sites. This research will explore the transformative field of human-robot interaction, with a specific focus on deploying robots as intelligent assistants to support construction workers. Your work on this project will involve configuring and programming construction robots to assist in various on-site construction tasks. You will also develop communication protocols between robots and human workers, ensuring that robots can accurately interpret workers’ intentions and respond with appropriate assistance. The project envisions an interdisciplinary approach that shifts the role of construction workers from performing physically demanding tasks to supervising robotic systems, thereby redefining traditional roles in construction.

REU Research Plan:                             

During the summer months, REU students will work with the faculty advisor and graduate student mentors in creating a human-robot interaction system for robots to assist workers in performing construction tasks on-site. Students will be engaged in the following activities:

  • Develop programs to generate robot motion plans and control robot movements.
  • Establish effective communication protocols between robots and construction workers.
  • Configure robotic software and hardware systems and conduct laboratory experiments for system validation.
  • Contribute to the writing of a conference/journal paper to disseminate the research outcome. 

Keywords: construction robotics, human-robot interaction, machine learning, construction site modeling, worker assistance

Required skills: Python or C/C++ programming

Undergraduate Degrees: Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Construction

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Xi Wang