Framework of Production Information Management System for Automated Construction

For automatizing building construction systems with robots, the WASCOR (WASeda Construction Robot) IV research project has been organized since 1992 by System Science Institute, Waseda University. This multi-client research project includes nine general constructors and one construction machinery manufacturer. The purpose of this paper is to report a pert of the research results of the final year for the project period of three years. This paper presents a concept of "Production Information Management System (PIMS) based on real time monitoring for Automated Construction". In recent years, many construction robots have been developed with the goal of increasing the productivity in construction site. However, most of the these robots numbered by a hundred or more types for various tasks can not be put into practical use with the desired labor savings at conventional construction sites. The reasons why these robots cannot attain successful utilization are not only the immature capabilities of their own hardware and software systems, but also the luck of the development of the new construction methods suitable for robotization, and total construction management and control systems for cooperatively operating multiple types of robots and automated machines in the sites. The concept of "Point of Production (POP)" information management and control already being operated in the manufacturing industries is a useful tool for establishing the framework of the PI MS in the future automated building construction. This paper also describes the POP concept and how to apply it to build this framework.