Objective
Construction at height or remote locations still relies heavily on cranes, scaffolding, and human workers operating at height, leading to high logistical costs and significant safety risks. Aerial robotic construction offers a promising alternative; however, current approaches remain limited to linear, vertical assembly performed by single drones, which constrains efficiency, robustness, and the realization of complex structural geometries. The HARPA project introduces a radically new paradigm for aerial robotic construction based on heterogeneous, cooperative aerial robot collectives. It distinguishes between two complementary types of aerial robot systems: Cable-suspended Aerial Multi-Lifting Systems (CAMLs) and Aerial Robotic Manipulators (ARMs). CAMLs consist of multiple drones connected to the large prefabricated components through cables to collaboratively lift and transport them. In addition to significantly larger load capacities, CAMLs can also manipulate the orientation of heavy construction elements, enabling non-trivial geometries and large-span structures. ARMs are drones equipped with lightweight robotic arms that enable precise mechanical interactions—such as pushing, pulling, or bolt fastening—to assist CAMLs during installation and enable interconnections of the building elements. HARPA will develop both the hardware and hybrid (centralized–decentralized) algorithms for multi-agent planning, control, and perception, enabling fully autonomous cooperative building assembly. HARPA will also pioneer an Aerial-Robot-Oriented Design (AROD) framework in architecture, integrating interlocking mechanisms and design principles that intrinsically account for aerial robotic constraints from the earliest stages of conception. Finally, the HARPA solution will be validated through the autonomous construction of a human-scale pavilion within a controlled experimental environment, and exploration in lifting and manipulating real-scale structures of over 200kg.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics autonomous robots drones
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2628 CN DELFT
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.