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Rhizome 2.0 (2023): Advancing Off-Earth Manufacturing and Construction (of Subsurface Mars Habitats)

Team: Henriette Bier, Arwin Hidding and Vera Laszlo (RB lab); Seyran Kahdemi and Casper van Engelenburg (AiDAPT lab); Micah Prendergast and Luka Peternel (CoR lab).
Collaborators/ Partners: Advenit Makaya (ESA) and Volker Ruitinga (Vertico).

Abstract

Rhizome 1.0 approaches developed in 2021-22 for underground off-Earth habitats on Mars using Design-to-Robotic-Production-Assembly and -Operation (D2RPA&O) methods will be further advanced in Rhizome 2.0 in order to demonstrate the scalability of the concept. The aim is to (a) understand whether it is applicable to large ‘real-life’ construction scale and (b) outline the associated challenges and develop appropriate solutions. In this context, the design takes functional, structural, material, and operational aspects into account. It furthermore, integrates sensor-actuators into the life-support system of the habitat. It takes advantage of Computer Vision (CV) and Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) at various stages in the construction process.

Rhizome 1.0 (2021-22): Off-Earth Manufacturing and Construction (of Subsurface Mars Habitats)

Team: Henriette Bier, Arwin Hidding, Max Latour and Fred Veere (Architecture), Luka Peternel (Mechanical Engineering: Human-Robot Collaboration), Roland Schmehl and Lora Ourouvoma (Aerospace: Energy System), Angelo Cervone (Aerospace: Space Systems Engineering), Maneesh Verma (Aerospace: Swarm Robotics), and supporting staff Vera Laszlo (Architecture), Sian Jones (Civil Engineering), and students.
Consultants: Ken Gavin, (Civil Engineering: Subsurface Structures), Vera Popovich (Mechanical Engineering: Material Science), and Yinglu Tang (Aerospace Engineering: Material Science).
Partners: European Space Agency (Off-Earth Manufacturing and Construction) and Vertico (3D Printing with Concrete).

Abstract

The project focuses on the (1) Development of a rhizomatic habitat with integrated environmental control and life-support system, (2) Advancement of autarkic data-driven Design-to-Robotic-Production-Assembly and -Operation (D2RPA&O) system using in-situ resources and combined solar and kite power, (3) Development of 3D printing approach using rover swarm and D2RPA&O system, and (4) Integration of sun and kite power systems.

Additional information: http://cs.roboticbuilding.eu/index.php/2019MSc3

Robotic Building MSc 2 2021: Cyber-physical Space 4.0
Team: Henriette Bier | Max Latour | Vera Laszlo
Collaborators / Partners: Robert Lindner (ESA) | Volker Ruitinga (Vertico) I Hamed Alavi (UniFri)

Abstract

The Cyber-physical Space (CpS) will be developed for underground off-Earth habitats on Mars using Design-to-Robotic-Production and -Operation (D2RP&O) methods. The design takes functional, structural, material, and operational aspects into account. It furthermore, integrates sensor-actuators into the life supporting system of the habitat. The focus will be on two main aspects of the design: 1. Parametric design and robotic production, 2. User-space interaction and sensor-actuator operation. Both aspects will be developed in groups of 4-5 students subdivided in two subgroups addressing each of the two aspects.

Framework

In Spring semester 2021 students engage in the investigation of off-Earth habitats that are computationally designed and robotically produced structures. They embed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their sensor-actuators mechanisms that allow users to customize operation and use. The to be developed Cyber-physical Space (CpS) is controlled by computer-based algorithms, integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) and its users. Physical and software components are, in this context, deeply intertwined. The static and dynamic modalities of the space involve customization and reconfiguration, which will be achieved by means of D2RP&O.

The project builds up on an idea developed for the Open Space Innovation Campaign 'Off-Earth Manufacturing and Construction', which was put forward by the European Space Agency (ESA). The proposed competition focuses on development of infrastructure to support long term human exploration of a planetary body. The idea has received funding from ESA and the team is now developing the design of subsurface 3D printed porous structures on Mars.

For additional information see competition idea http://cs.roboticbuilding.eu/index.php/Shared:2019Final and brief 2021.

Robotic Building MSc 3-4 2020-21: Cyber-physical Space 3.0
Team: Henriette Bier | Vera Laszlo | Siddharth Popatlal Jain
Collaborators / Partners: Luka Peternel (3ME/TUD) I Philippe Morel (ENSAPM) | David Gerber (USC) I Marta Male-Alemany (HvA) | 3D Robot Printing I Dutch Growth Factory

Keywords

Utopian / Dystopia / Biomimetic Architecture / Adaptive Architecture / Design-to- Robotic-Production-Assembly and -Operation

Framework

In Fall semester 2020-21 students engage in the investigation of utopian/dystopian visions on future architecture by exploring the impact of new technologies (artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, etc.) on architecture while revisiting today’s societal challenges such as rapid urban densification, overpopulation, migration, pollution, climate change, etc. The studio aims to challenge existing concepts for architectural environments. New computationally designed and robotically produced structures embed artificial intelligence in their sensor-actuators mechanisms that allow users to customize operation and use of such innovative cyber-physical spaces. The to be developed Cyber-physical Space (CS) is controlled by computer-based algorithms, integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) and its users. Physical and software components are, in this context, deeply intertwined. The static and dynamic modalities of the space involve customization and reconfiguration, which will be achieved by means of D2RPA&O.

Approach

Students will work on individually chosen topics facilitating the development of designs for customizable and/or reconfigurable environments based on user scenarios. In this context, D2RPA&O focuses on the integration of advanced computational design with robotic techniques in order to produce performance-driven architectural formations. This implies that design is directly linked to building production and operation. The studio encourages students to question conventional design processes in order to creatively challenge the interplay between contemporary culture, science, and technology, and their relation to architecture.

Keywords

Utopian / Dystopia / Plug-in habitat / Reconfigurable and customizable working-living units / Design-to- Robotic-Production and -Operation

Framework

In Fall and Spring semester 2019-20 students engage in the investigation of utopian/dystopian visions on future habitats by reinterpreting Constant’s New Babylon and revisiting today’s societal challenges such as rapid urban densification, overpopulation, scarcity, migration, pollution, climate change, etc. By introducing static and dynamic functionalities such as mega infrastructures (consisting of structural frame, circulation, water and electricity, etc.) with reconfigurable furnishing designed and produced by means of D2RP&O the studio aims to challenge existing concepts for living and working environments. In particular, it takes the opportunity to reflect on the influence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing on architecture. The proposed computationally designed and robotically produced structure relies on these technologies and embeds artificial intelligence in its sensor-actuators mechanisms in order to allow users to customize operation and use of such innovative cyber-physical spaces. Utopian/dystopian aspects are addressed by exploring the potential of cyber-physical systems in architecture (D2RPA&O), the challenges of climate change, overpopulation and urban densification on Earth as well as challenges of off-Earth planetary or stellar colonization.

In fall 2019, students participated in the Open Space Innovation Campaign Off-Earth Manufacturing and Construction, which is put forward by the European Space Agency (ESA). The proposed competition ideas support the following fields of application in a surface exploration infrastructure to support long term human exploration of a planetary body:

Construction of large-scale habitat infrastructure.
Construction of large-scale mobility infrastructure (e.g. roads, landing pads).
Construction of large-scale ancillary infrastructure (e.g. for communication, energy generation, and rage).
Hardware manufacturing (e.g. tools, interior equipment, machinery, and clothing).
Maintenance of the infrastructure and hardware, material recovery and recycling.

Selected ideas/winners receive funding for co-funded research (former NPI), early technology developments (former ITI) or system studies (former GSP). Relevant projects, research papers and facts:

Autonomous Additive Construction on Mars by Foster+Partners (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303407153_Autonomous_Additive_Construction_on_Mars); NASA_mars_ice_drilling_assessment_v6_for_public_release (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/mars_ice_drilling_assessment_v6_for_public_release.pdf); Edwin Vermeer's case studies (http://100ybp.roboticbuilding.eu/index.php/project01:Main)

For additional information: https://ideas.esa.int/servlet/hype/IMT?userAction=BrowseCurrentUser&templateName=MenuItem

In both cases, on- and off-Earth, the design will mainly focus on the following aspects:

A. Utopia/Dystopia

Utopias envision ideal communities or societies possessing perfect socio-politico-legal systems. The term is derived from More’s book titled Utopia (1516). For instance, Constant’s New Babylon envisioned a city of the future where land is owned collectively, work is fully automated and human work is, therefore, replaced with a nomadic life of creative play.

In contrast dystopias are communities or societies that are undesirable or even frightening as for instance described in Orwell’s 1984 (1949). These are characterized by dehumanization, totalitarianism, environmental disaster, or other characteristics associated with a cataclysmic decline in society.

B. Customization and reconfiguration

The proposed Cyber-physical Space (CS) is controlled by computer-based algorithms, integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) and its users. Physical and software components are, in this context, deeply intertwined. The static and dynamic modalities of the space involve customization and reconfiguration, which will be achieved by means of Design-to-Robotic-Production and –Operation (D2RP&O).

Approach

Students will work on on/off-Earth locations and will develop designs for customizable and reconfigurable units based on user scenarios. In this context, Design-to-Robotic-Production and -Operation (D2RP&O) focuses on the integration of advanced computational design with robotic techniques in order to produce performance-driven architectural formations. This implies that design is directly linked to building production and operation. The studio encourages students to question conventional design processes in order to creatively challenge the interplay between contemporary culture, science, and technology, and their relation to architecture.

On-demand / Plug-in habitat / Reconfigurable and customisable working-living / playing units / Design-to-Robotic-Production / Design-to-Robotic-Operation

Framework

This semester students engage in the investigation of utopian/dystopian visions about future habitats by reinterpreting Constant’s New Babylon and introducing static and dynamic functionalities such as infrastructure (structural frame, circulation, water and electricity, etc.) and reconfigurable furniture respectively.

Utopian/dystopian aspects are addressed by exploring the potential of cyberphysical systems in architecture (D2RPA&O), the challenges of overpopulation and urban densification, etc.

1. Utopia/Dystopia

Utopias envision ideal communities or societies possessing perfect socio-politicolegal systems. The term is derived from More’s book titled Utopia (1516). For instance, Constant’s New Babylon envisioned a city of the future where land is owned collectively, work is fully automated and thus human work is replaced with a nomadic life of creative play.

In contrast dystopias are communities or societies that are undesirable or even frightening as for instance described in Orwell’s 1984 (1949). These are characterized by dehumanization, totalitarianism, environmental disaster, or other characteristics associated with a cataclysmic decline in society.

2. Customization and reconfiguration

The proposed cyber-physical space is controlled or monitored by computer-based algorithms, integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) and its users. Physical and software components are, in this context, deeply intertwined. The static and dynamic modalities of the space involve customization and reconfiguration, which will be achieved by means of Design-to-Robotic-Production and –Operation (D2RP&O).

Approach

Students will work with a generic bounding box representing a part of the megastructure that is overimposed on an existing city. Within this bounding box students will develop designs for customizable and reconfigurable units based on user scenarios.

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