Can you tell us a bit about your background, and how it led you to become involved in the RoBétArmé project?
I hold a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, an M.S. in Robotics, and began my PhD in 2023 with SDU Center for Large Structure Production (LSP), where my research focuses on the RoBétArmé project.
Could you share some insights into your specific role and involvement in the project? What are your main responsibilities and contributions?
When I wrote my master’s thesis on a simulation framework for quadrupedal locomotion about 10 years ago, simulation wasn’t widely accepted by the scientific community. Today, although it may not be the most popular research method, the field has transformed significantly due to increased computational power, advances in machine learning and AI, and improved software tools. At SDU, our team focuses on providing simulation tools that are accurate enough to predict experimental outcomes.
Research endeavors often come with challenges and obstacles. What are some of the main challenges you've encountered during your journey with RoBétArmé, and how have you managed to overcome them?
Those in the field recognize the significant challenges of applying robotics in the construction industry. For instance, research on robotic shotcreting goes back more than 40 years, yet robots still aren’t performing these tasks. While highly mechanized systems can assist operators, achieving autonomous robots remains out of touch. In the context of my role in this project, one of the major challenges is simulating the shotcrete process itself, which is highly complex and chaotic—a challenge we are determined to overcome.
Collaboration and networking are essential in research projects like RoBétArmé. Could you discuss some of your experiences collaborating with other researchers and institutions within the project?
The RoBétArmé project offers valuable opportunities for collaboration, which we aim to leverage even further. The consortium brings together a strong mix of industry and academia. Currently, we’re organizing a joint data recording session with three other research institutes and an industry partner, which I’m excited to be a part of.
Can you highlight any specific achievements or breakthroughs from your work within the project that you're particularly proud of?
One achievement I’m particularly proud of is presenting our latest publication earlier this year at the 41st International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2024).
Looking to the future, what are your hopes and aspirations for the impact of your research within RoBétArmé? How do you envision it contributing to advancements in your field and society as a whole?
Robots are urgently needed in the construction sector, where there is a growing gap between the available workforce and the skills required, especially in Europe. By taking on hazardous and menial tasks, robots can help improve quality of life. I believe that new hybrid approaches to simulation, such as the concept of Digital Twins, are key to enabling high-performing robots and driving advancements in the field.
