With the gradual penetration of robotics into the construction industry, in recent years, the trend of introducing industrial robotics into schools of architecture is increasingly gaining ground. One of them is the Faculty of Architecture of BUT, which has just started the pilot operation of its robotic classroom. It thus became part of a network of schools that cooperate with each other and share knowledge in the field of robotics. Regular teaching of the new subject of CAM technology (Computer Aided Manufacturing) will start here from the winter semester of the next academic year.

At the head of the project stands Martin Kaftan from the Institute of Experimental Creation. He himself had already worked with robots during his time at the University of Graz, which is why he was asked by the dean of the faculty to take charge of the establishment of a robotics classroom. "The classroom will primarily be used by students. From autumn, we will start a subject called CAM techniques, which will be compulsory for all students," says Kaftan, elaborating: "The subject will generally involve working with robots or computer-controlled machines, which includes laser cutters, CNC mills, 3D printers and more a robot that is such a cherry on the cake."

The KUKA robot has respectable dimensions on top of the cherry. Thanks to its location on the rail and seven degrees of freedom, it has a considerable working scope and can work in several places at the same time. "We unofficially call it FERDA, which is a looser acronym for Friendly Robot for Design and Architecture. Besides, Ferda, it's actually all kinds of work, which is fitting," laughs the guarantor of the new item. Universality is a really significant advantage of the robot. “It's actually a hand, so it depends on what you put in that hand and it can handle it. Now there is a set cutter, it can be used to machine wooden joints for different structures or models, if you give it a hot wire, it can cut polystyrene formwork for example for concrete. Another possibility is 3D printing, for example from concrete - this is how the first printed concrete house in our country was created last year, which is on Strelecky Island in Prague. It only depends on us what we come up with here," explains Kaftan. The other instruments will be made at the Institute of Experimental Design as part of their own research or assignments for students. "Students can design a tool themselves, like writing instruments that a robot can use to draw, or come up with a special compound for 3D printing and the like."

Strict safety measures must be observed in the robotics classroom. The robot is located behind glass walls, and when it is working, it is forbidden to enter the room. "The workplace is equipped with various security circuits, which we control using the control panel. The moment we put it in automatic mode, that means you press start, put the panel away and the robot will take care of itself, the safety lock must be locked, otherwise the robot won't start at all," explains the representative of the integrator.

The robotic classroom is the first part of the intended project. As Martin Kaftan stated, in the next phase even smaller cooperative robots should be added, with which students could work on small things by themselves. "Besides teaching, we also want to do experimental and innovative things with students. Actually, we already have the first project under way," he says, pointing to the folded cut boards. "This is a prototype research station for Antarctica related to Czech polar research. We're going to make a part of the building that should be there, and we want to test it. This will take place in the fall as part of studio classes. Gradually, more of those subjects will be created, students will be able to use Ferda also within the studios, so they will be able to, for example, come up with an innovative construction here, and then produce it on a 1:1 scale and the like," explains the head of the workplace. The main purpose of the robot will therefore be to develop creative thinking from design to production.

A certain advantage is that they have the same type of robot also in the 3D studio at FaVU. "We will probably be moving to Údolní, so it is planned that the two workplaces would merge and be able to work together. In the future, if there is interest in it, the workplace could be expanded, one more robot could be added and they would all work synchronously," Martin Kaftan presents a possible development. By the way, the mentioned bot was installed on FaVU by the same integrator. Tomáš Kubela confirms this and continues to tune the manual control panel. As he says, so that those who come after him can devote themselves to the creative process: "He's a robot like any other. With a blender, you don't need to know how it works either, you need to cook."

ed. Jana Novotná for Events from BUT