Built Environment Robotics R&D Programme

The Built Environment Robotics R&D programme, led by BCA and the National Robotics Programme (NRP), focuses on research, development and deployment of innovative robotics. 

Focus areas 

The three focus areas of the Built Environment Robotics R&D programme are:

	Research area	Examples
1. Manufacturing	Advance the degree of automation in Design for Manfacturing and Assembly (DfMA) factories andIntegrated Construction Prefabrication Hubs (ICPH) Expand capabilities to meet future needs	Mobile robots that carry out finishing works like tiling, painting and installation of architectural components within Prefabricated Bathroom Unit (PBU) and Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) module faster and more accurately
2. Assembly	Improve on-site productivity through automation and robotics	Robots that are able to transport materials efficiently and accurately, as well as assemble prefabricated components on-site Automation of site monitoring and investigation tasks in large scale infrastructure projects Integrate robotics into assembly techniques and methods for structural, finishing and mechanical and electrical systems for different building types
3. Smart and sustainable assets	Smart solutions for facilities operation and management Address problems that come with older buildings, which includes civil engineering works Support DfMA and Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) efforts	Robots with advanced inspection capabilities Robots integrated with non-destructive testing instruments

Completed / current funded projects and their research outcomes 

1. Robotics for Construction 4.0 [on-going]

• Cyber-physical system for PPVC production and assembly
• Robot assisted supervision and monitoring of construction progress
• High-mobility robot for general construction tasks
• Robotic assembly of prefabricated components on-site

2. Automated Lane Closure and Re-Opening System [on-going]

3. Site monitoring robot [on-going]

4. Heavy materials transport robot [on-going]

Past and open grant calls under the R&D Programme 

1st Grant Call

The 1st open grant call under the BE Robotics R&D programme was closed on 11 January 2019. 

2nd Grant Call

BCA has launched a 2nd open grant call and would like to invite applicants to submit their research proposals under the BE Robotics R&D Programme.

Call Opens: 15 May 2020
Submission Deadline: 30 June 2020

Summary of Challenge Statements

The challenge statements under the 2nd grant call for research proposals are:

• Centralised geo-spatial imaging & measuring systems for inspections – evidence based smart inspections for building projects
• Optimising earthworks with robotics – autonomous fleet operations for heavy construction equipment

Eligibility

Principal Investigators (PIs) from all Singapore-based institutions of higher learning (IHLs), public sector agencies and not-for-profit research laboratories as well as companies and company-affiliated research laboratories/institutions, are eligible to apply.

Enquiries

For further enquiries, please contact BCA_ROBOTICS@bca.gov.sg.

More Information:

Please refer to the following attachments for more details regarding the 2nd grant call: