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Biomechanically Unified Intelligence and Labor through a Variable-Autonomy Exo-Robot Platform for Sustainable Construction

Objective

The €10.5 trillion construction industry struggles with inefficiencies, high costs, and sustainability challenges. Traditional tools contribute to 39% of global CO2 emissions, 30% material waste, noise and air pollution, and cost overruns, while 38% of workers face musculoskeletal disorders. BUILDERS introduces an innovative robotic platform that can modernise construction and renovation workflows enabling to reduce time on site, increase resource efficiency, and enhance worker safety. By combining multi-functionality, including robotic 3D printing, human-robot collaboration and automation, BUILDERS aims to measurably reduce on-site execution time, improve accuracy, and minimize errors, waste and pollution compared to current best practices. The platform consists of a smart mobile base and two modular robotic arms for sensory integration, material processing and precise manipulation. BUILDERS' perception and situational awareness leverage multi-modal sensors to enable real-time monitoring of users, worksites and environmental conditions. The platform’s anticipatory AI integrates BIM, visual language models, and explainable and generative AI algorithms for adaptive task execution and robust failure mitigation. Another key innovation is the human-robot synergy through collaborative modes that reduce worker strain and exposure to dust and noise, enhance safety, and optimize task execution. AI-driven task allocation balances workloads between humans and robots, leading to improved resource management and operational efficiency. The demonstrators will validate six prototype solutions at TRL 4-5 through living labs and pilot use cases, addressing both construction and renovation across representative building typologies using a robust benchmarking framework and KPIs. By addressing key technological and industry challenges, BUILDERS aims to deliver measurable improvements in productivity, sustainability, and reduced environmental impact for the built environment.

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2026-02

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Coordinator

FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
Net EU contribution
€ 1 277 703,75
Address
VIA MOREGO 30
16163 Genova
Italy
Region
Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost
No data

Participants (9)