Aerial robots offer safer, more sustainable construction methods

New research led by Imperial College London and co-authored by the University of Bristol, has revealed that aerial robotics could provide wide-ranging benefits to the safety, sustainability and scale of construction.

The research examines the emerging field of using drones for mid-air material deposition in the construction industry—a process known as Aerial Additive Manufacturing (Aerial AM).

This technology addresses pressing global housing and infrastructure challenges using aerial robots equipped with advanced manipulators that can overcome the limitations of traditional construction methods and ground-based robotic systems.

These innovations promise enhanced productivity, environmental sustainability, and access to elevated heights, hard-to-reach areas or hazardous locations—all while reducing waste and energy consumption.

Unlike conventional construction techniques or ground-based robotic systems, aerial robots operate within an unrestricted work envelope that allows them to build at greater heights and in challenging terrains that are otherwise inaccessible.

The paper, published April 23 in the journal Science Robotics, introduces an autonomy framework tailored for Aerial AM, addressing critical challenges such as flight coordination, material deposition precision, and scalability in large-scale manufacturing tasks.

Dr. Basaran Bahadir Kocer, co-author from the University of Bristol’s School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, said, “Despite promising advancements, the deployment of aerial robots for large-scale autonomous construction remains in its infancy. Key obstacles include material durability, localization systems for outdoor environments, and coordination among multiple aerial units.

“Addressing these challenges is essential to unlocking the full potential of Aerial AM in real-world applications. However, early-stage demonstrations of Aerial AM have already showcased capabilities such as rapid on-demand repairs and modular assembly techniques, paving the way for broader adoption across industries.”

The new technology is being tested at the DroneHub, which is based in Switzerland at EMPA—the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials, Science and Technology—which provides a platform on which flying construction machines can be tested outside the laboratory for the first time.