Robotics Training and Collaborative Innovation

Build’In Co-Innovation Lab – École des Ponts ParisTech

The Build’In Co-Innovation Lab is a research hub for the construction sector, based in Paris, within the grounds of the École des Ponts ParisTech. Build’In offers an open platform to its partners and supports their experimentation, providing access to the lab’s own team of researchers, engineers and technicians. The lab focuses on three key research areas: new materials and construction methods, on-site robotics, and digitalisation for eco-oriented design.

HAL Robotics is the robot software partner of the lab. We provide software tools, robotics training and support for their three unique robot cells.

1. Teaching and Intelligence: A pair of ABB IRB 120 robots with adaptable tools and sensors, are connected to computing clusters. These clusters facilitate the development of Machine Learning (ML) and Articificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for construction automation.
2. Large-scale Multi-Robot Processes: Two ABB IRB 6620 arms, one on a 9m-long track, share a workspace for manipulating full-scale construction elements. These robots have access to a range of tools and sensors for machining, assembly, drilling, and sawing.
3. 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP): An ABB IRB 6620 robot, equipped with an XtreeE print head, or raw-earth and geopolymer extrusion tool, produces additive parts. The lab is fully equipped with rheometers, presses, and test benches to validate the parts it produces. Additionally, in collaboration with the Navier Laboratory, it characterises material properties atvarious scales.

HAL Robotics: Your Industry Partner for Robotics Training and Collaborative Innovation

The Build’In Lab is just one of dozens of research robotics laboratories in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Taiwan, Australia, and the United States that we have already assisted. Bringing us onboard as early as possible ensures that we can support you at all stages of development:

• technical requirements and laboratory layout: we help you future-proof your investment by selecting the right machines for your needs, considering software capabilities of controllers.
• robotics training: we understand that robots, industrial machinery, and software can be intimidating for non-experts. That’s why HAL Robotics software is designed to be easy to grasp by material scientists, designers, artists, and operators. It does not require previous expertise in robotics. Additionally, our tailored training programs ensure that you and your team can start production as early as possible.
• process and product prototyping: success of research and development projects ultimately depends on the ability to fail, analyze, learn, and iterate. HAL Robotics software eliminates file format conversion issues and drastically minimizes the time required to reprogram robots, ensuring your team does not lose precious time.
• industrialisation: HAL Robotics software is industry-ready, making it a breeze to industrialise research outputs and capitalise on your past development efforts.
• public-private research and innovation programs: We regularly participate in ambitious research projects supported by public bodies such as the European Union and InnovateUK.