Could a Robot Build a House in a Day?

A California University engineering professor, Behrosh Khoshnevis, is fine-tuning a robot that is designed to build houses, using CAD and 3-D printers along with concrete.  The robot’s capabilities should make variations simple enough that Khoshnevis predicts it could build not only the most basic housing (like military housing, HUD housing and residential dwellings in quickly developing nations, but also more high-end, customizable homes and perhaps even habitats on lunar bases. Not only would the robots build houses faster (as they can work continuously), but they could do the job for much less money (the estimated savings are 20%-25% on financing, 25%-30% on materials and 45%-55% on labor).  The robot extrudes liquid concrete in layers, and is equipped with tools not much different than the humble trowel to aid in construction. A final benefit: the brain power replacing the muscle power traditionally required in the construction industry will create jobs for older, less physically able workers. To see more, click here.