RoboLift - The robotic boom lift
A prototype robot, reaching much further than just facade cleaning
Project name: RoboLift
Time period: Oct 2020 - Nov 2021
Partners: Byggenæringens Landsforbund (BLN), Malemesternes Landsforening (MLF), Hybeko, Tess, J.S. Cock
The core concept
This project would not exist without the IA-program (which go to lengths in improving HSE in trades typically associated with manual labor). Together with BNL, MLF, and later Hybeko, we wanted to address how robotizing a traditional boom lift will reduce human workers’ exposure to dangerous, yet necessary, work tasks.
The example case we chose was automatic facade cleaning, but the potential of a robotic boom lift includes both painting and surface treatment of other objects, such as sand blasting of ship hulls.
Challenges we solved
Integrating state of the art robotic control with COTS machinery
Advanced modelling of a boom lift
Control of hydraulics
Creating a super-system by combining the powerful and versatile boom with the precise movements of the robotic arm
Digital task management
High-precision positioning
Intuitive user interface
Tool integration (i.e. hot-water pressure washer with soap)
Results
The fusion between traditional machinery and robot technology doesn’t come without some technical risks. Theoretical studies might uncover most of them, but the only way to be sure is to connect everything together and demonstrate that it works.
The Liftbot is developed and works well as intended. Apart from being an efficient way to sort out technical issues, this concept demonstrator serves an invaluable tool in connecting our robot engineers with the end-users. We will continue to use this robot in pilot projects to learn, test and verify in order to pinpoint the exact functionality needed to ensure a smooth market adoption of the final product.
