DISCOVER General Assembly in Lisbon

DAY 1

Robotics and autonomous systems

We received an extensive update on the development of the robots. On the one hand, the latest improvements to the Oliwall robot by UPC with an autonomous non-invasive scanning and identification system (Meet Oliwall). On the other hand, the Pokeye robot by TU Delft: an autonomous invasive material identification system for cases unresolved by Oliwall.

While the two robots are currently being fine-tuned separately at different universities, they will be further aligned together in real-world conditions starting in September.

Digital tools and AI-driven circular solutions

The input of the robots will connect with algorithms developed by Tecnalia for the rapid prediction of materials and components and will be further explored by a BIM model. We are also looking forward to research by IMT to understand the social acceptance of the developed technologies, and to develop human-centred techniques for upskilling construction professionals and enabling better appropriation of our digital circular tools.

Data management and integration

Selective demolition and sustainable deconstruction strategies were previously mapped out by IST, among other things through a sector survey. In a next step, this information will be used to develop a comprehensive multi-cycle LCA (M-LCA) framework that bridges current LCA practice and circularity assessment, and apply it to demolition and end-of-life routes.

Furthermore, a full material bank is being developed, for which progress has already been shared at this point in the project. This will cover a traceability platform (led by Tecnalia) and look into representative recovered materials and their possible end uses (led by c5lab).