Group C - Future Robotics Capabiliites

     Our group defined an Intelligent Building as a building that uses adaptive technology to maximize its efficiency through all stages of its life cycle. An Intelligent Building should also be able to take readings from its environment and communicate with its users and other interested parties. In order for Intelligent Building to effectively communicate with their users, a lot of the building functions are automatized with the use of robots and sensors. Robotics capabilities in general are quite impressive nowadays. We will discuss the way the progress in the field of robotics will affect Intelligent Buildings in the future. 

           Robotics is very present in the architectural world from construction with robot builders to HVAC with intelligent thermostat, but let's focus on the use of robotics in the design of building skin and envelope. Responsive skins are being used increasingly to create better performing buildings. The Albahar Towers in Abu Dhabi are a prime example of computerized responsive skin. Due to Abu Dhabi's climate, shading and air conditioning occupied a central place in the design of the towers. The architects on the project made a creative use of available robotics capabilities to create a dynamic solar-responsive screen [1]. The facade responds to the solar condition, and retracts or expands as necessary. The use of this technology at such a grand scale was unprecedented. It also opened the door to more creativity, innovation, and efficiency in future building skin.The example of the Albahar Towers demonstrates that architects and engineers are working together, and taking bolder steps in the design of Intelligent Buildings. Innovation in robotics would then find direct application in the world of building skin. 

           What if buildings could feel? New sensors are being developed that could allow robots to feel. These robots would be able to detect humidity, pressure, temperature, and light very accurately and in an unprecedented way [2]. Robots such as these could be used for the maintenance of building skin. They would detect cracks, or excessive stress on the envelope and notify the users or the engineers. We could have skins that expand or contract depending on outside conditions. A robot such as this would maximize the efficiency of the building envelope of structures located in climate with great variations in temperature.    

         Gecko-Wall-Climbing robots are more efficient than ever. These robots can climb surfaces as smooth as glass, without leaving a trace, and adapt to abruptly changing angles [3]. One of the biggest problem of building skins, especially in tall structures, is cleaning and maintenance. Such robots could be used to efficiently clean and maintain even the wildest skin. In the future that technology could be used to prevent the degradation of building envelope and preserve the beauty of the original design. As Dave B. mentioned in his post the maintenance aspect could go beyond the skin. Robot trash cans, or robots to clean up chemical spills. The possibilities are endless. 

         The progress in the robotics field, and the willingness of architects and engineers to experiment with new technology is exciting. We are eager to see what the future has in store for Intelligent Buildings. 






References:

[1]"Abu Dhabi's sun sensitive twin towers." Phaidon. n.p. n.d. Web. Jan. 2014.  

[2]Moskvitch, Katia. "Artificial skin lets robots 'feel'." Mother Nature Network. n.p. Jul. 2013. Web. Jan. 2014

[3]"Crawling gecko robot may help tend spacecraft one day. " RT. n.p. Jan. 2014. Web. Jan. 2014.