Augmented Robotic Bricklaying

Abstract

After experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic, remote communication became one of the key issues in almost every field and discourse. Digital fabrication is no exception, and architects hope to seek a user-friendly way for human-machine interactions. This paper presents experimental research using Augmented Reality (AR) for robotic remote programming. The research tries to develop a unique pipeline and workflow which allows users from different locations to program robots and communicate with machines through AR. A sample workflow has been tested as a series of simple brick assemblies in an online workshop with remote participants. The pipeline allows all users to be able to remotely program and control a robot in AR. For this workshop, we transform the robotic coding method from the traditional computer science way to the plugin-oriented AR visual programming way in Grasshopper. As for the physical outcomes, participants all assembled brick-based structures successfully by programming and operating the robotic arm in AR remotely at the end. Associating the interaction in AR with the robotic arm and programming it with interactive visual input methods will make it easier for architectural practitioners to simulate and control industrial robots for complex structure assembly.