The proposal brings relevant impacts at different levels:
•The project demonstrates the possibility to use robotics in construction performing complex activities.
- As proved by the results of the project, it is possible to use robots to install modular facades increasing the quality of construction, reducing the time needed and reducing the risks for workers.
•Increasing the market-readiness of robotics applications
- The main sector targeted by the proposed innovation project is the new non-residential construction market which represents an annual market volume of €200,000 million.
•Cost-benefit model and impact on the façade market cost structure
- The savings from the use of HEPHAESTUS are estimated at 20% of installation costs, which accounts for 5% of the total cost of the curtain wall. There is also an additional net saving, as the gondola for maintenance is no longer necessary. As a result, the total initial investment is reduced by 12.5%. Furthermore, after the construction of the building HEPHAESTUS will continue to deliver cost savings of 44% in annual maintenance and cleaning costs
•Lowering of market entry barriers of a business or regulatory nature and increasing industrial and commercial investment in Europe
- HEPHAESTUS proposes three main crossed working lines: Transparency of the overall process, strongly increase of the communication and interrelation of all the stakeholders and highlight the benefits of the innovative renovation process.
•Contributing to the faster growth of competitive small and mid-scale robotics companies in Europe
- The project will open a route for European SMEs for the entry into the curtain wall market due to the lacks in automation in the installation phase.
•Improving social impacts, including employment
- Creation of new direct high-level jobs, creation of direct jobs and reducing the risk of accidents
•Improving innovation capacity and integration of new knowledge at EU level
- The partners will integrate their knowledge and findings efficiently in the value chain to generate a much broader knowledge that can be shared with the industrial sectors involved
•Improving industrial competitiveness and growth of companies
- HEPHAESTUS project will increase the European Robotic Industry presence in the construction sector opening the possibilities to a new growing market for robotics. it will ease the introduction of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) in the Construction Sector.
•Contribution to achieve the objectives of EU policies.
- The project will contribute to maintaining and developing the technology leading edge in key areas such as robotics.
- The project fosters the adoption of new technologies, as robotic, by the construction sector, one of the challenges that were identified by the EC.
