Turkish based architecture studio Melike Altinisik Architects (MAA) wins the first ever international design competition hosted by The Seoul Metropolitan Government. The first competition of its kind, applicants were asked to submit a design idea to pioneer the world's first robot science museum. The technology for robots to design the built environment is not new to the architecture and design community. However, what makes this competition win so different is the level of autonomy the robots are given and robotic construction techniques used. According to MAA's principal Melike Altinisik, "the new robot science museum which plays a catalytic role in advancing and promoting science, technology, and innovation throughout society is not only going to exhibit robots but actually from design, manufacturing to construction and services robots will be in charge."
During the museum's construction process, the robots will not only serve as the primary building agents for the project but will also be used as visuals to help educate the general public about robots. Variations of 3D printing techniques, molding, welding, polishing, and assembly will be accomplished through the use of robots. Drones will be used to site mapping and inspections. Although many may be skeptical of the project's construction, Altinisik explains the potential for robotic design autonomy. "In other words, the Robot Science Museum will start its first exhibition with its own construction by robots on site."
Construction is said to begin in 2020 and completed in 2022. According to Altinisik and his team, using robots is not only a giant step towards building construction, but it also allows for the project to save time and money. MAA isn't the only architecture firm exploring the possibilities of robotic construction and design, Dr. Neri Oxman and her team at MIT and Archi-Union Architects have worked with robots and their time-saving construction abilities.
This rendering is so funny... Wouldn't it be easier to just have a crane drop the panels into place with humans bolting them on? Does the robotic arm have mini robotic arms to bolt on the panels? What happens when they get a couple rows higher and the robotic arm car thing can't reach? Those drones don't look big enough to carry the panels - or are they there to film the robotic arm car fall over? In grad school, I used robotic arms and made some cool structures, they were fun an enabled a lot of things to be built but this seems misdone by someone who hasn't used them.
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Should architects worry about the future job opportunities? How are we to define our niche?
That's a great question Orhan! A reoccurring topic of discussion within the profession I'm sure. It's interesting to see the possibilities of robotics in real world settings and how it will affect architects. Rather, how it is already affecting architects. It makes me think of Issac Asimov's novels and his view on robotics.
Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
This rendering is so funny... Wouldn't it be easier to just have a crane drop the panels into place with humans bolting them on? Does the robotic arm have mini robotic arms to bolt on the panels? What happens when they get a couple rows higher and the robotic arm car thing can't reach? Those drones don't look big enough to carry the panels - or are they there to film the robotic arm car fall over? In grad school, I used robotic arms and made some cool structures, they were fun an enabled a lot of things to be built but this seems misdone by someone who hasn't used them.
"I need you to believe in something"
Chemical Brothers - Believe
No way should you worry about robots, unless you design like a robot. Let them do what they do best and we'll do what we do best, which is designing and crafting beautiful buildings that other human beings love.
"Designed by robots" describes the thinking of the people behind this.
Our profession already has enough robots.
+1 For a l iberal art, we are mighty conservative and conformist.
I been working as volunteer for The Venus Project for several years now and in order to achieve a sustainable civilization we must apply this kind of thinking globally. We need a holistic planning of cities, transportation, energy, production, distribution... Is the only way we can achieve a higher standard of living and protect the environment.
I agree. All jobs that can be automated should be automated.
I agree with what fabricioleandrofercher said. Because if we let the machines do the heavy lifting and all the boring and tedious and repetitive work we will have much more time for new things and move on to new possibilities instead of wasting our lives at work.
The machines can give us all the services we need to be able to be well fed and housed and clothed and can maintai a balanced load economy as well as taking care of the environment.
If the machines provide us with what we need we can experience tremendous advance just like past civilisations at their heightest peak (mayans, ancient egyptians, ancient greeks, ancient romans, mesopothamians etc etc).
Working for a living is a thing of the past or it should be anyway.
I say we automate your job first.
Go right ahead I would be glad. In fact, my job is about automation so I predict it will be automated at some point :)
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