One of the most pressing issues for society at the moment is the lack of suitable, safe, sustainable, and affordable housing. This issue is being exacerbated by factors including population growth, lack of skilled labour, an ageing workforce, and the rising cost of raw materials.
Solutions
The potential solutions to the housing crisis are complex and multi-faceted. One of these is the use of so-called modern methods of construction, also known as MMCs.
What are MMCs?
MMCs are non-traditional ways of building. Examples include prefabricated, modular, and even 3D-printed homes. These methods were initially seen as a way to combat labour shortages and incorporate cheaper materials.
Unfortunately, these solutions are hard to implement ‘at scale’, rely on large central facilities/factories, and work better when everything is standardised.
Robotics experts
Robotics specialists such as RAICO are continuing to advance the use of AI in delivering robotics solutions. These organisations are bringing together the best minds to generate solutions that use AI and robotics for the benefit of all.
How robotics can help
Intelligent automation and the use of AI are changing what robots can do. Rather than only being capable of single tasks, ‘smart’ robots are now able to work more flexibly and can adapt and customise their output.
When it comes to the construction of modular houses/buildings, this flexibility means robots can produce components that are made from different materials and are of different shapes, sizes, depths etc without having to be set up from scratch each time. They can adapt as they go,
This can help to reduce capital costs and reduce the size and complexity of production lines. As fewer robots will be required, less space will be needed, and factories can be smaller overall. This will also help reduce the factory’s carbon footprint, increase output, and shorten build times.
Smaller, highly automated, and localised factories can replace larger, inefficient, and remote ones. When these factories are located close to the communities they are building for, they can also reduce the need for transportation and provide employment opportunities.
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