Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research | Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research blog

Last week was an eventful one! UWE hosted two events focusing on future directions of research and innovation. The first one was UWE’s Festival of Research, which brought colleagues from across the University together for inspiring talks, dynamic lightning presentations, eye-catching showcases, and a vibrant expo filled with interactive displays. The second one was Digital Construction and Artificial Intelligence: Who’s in Control? Organised by the amazing staff in the MSc BIM, and proudly sponsored by CABER, it brought together industry and academia to explore the opportunities, challenges, and future direction of AI in the built environment.

In both events, I had the pleasure to talk about a project I have recently started developing called CENTHAUR, an acronym for “human-centred, industry-informed human-robot collaboration for assembly-based timber construction”.

The CENTHAUR project

The CENTHAUR project stems from the understanding that current automation, enabled by advances in robotics, artificial intelligence and immersive technologies, is transforming many industrial sectors and has been widely framed as the fourth industrial revolution. Construction is increasingly following this trajectory, with robotic systems demonstrating benefits in precision, quality and productivity across both academic research and industry (Parascho, 2023; M. Tehrani, BuHamdan and Alwisy, 2022). In particular, mobile robots have shown strong potential in addressing the dynamic and unpredictable environments typical of construction settings (Dörfler et al., 2016).

Despite these advantages, adoption of automation in construction has raised concerns regarding workforce displacement, unemployment and wage inequality (García de Soto et al., 2022). Moreover, approaches centred on full automation risk overlooking the complementary strengths of humans and machines. While robots excel at repetitive, hazardous or highly precise tasks, they often lack the contextual judgement, adaptability and holistic understanding that skilled workers routinely deploy on site (Parascho, 2023).

Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) offers an alternative paradigm in which robotic accuracy is combined with human cognitive, embodied and experiential knowledge. Such approaches help preserve the cultural and social richness of construction labour, including tacit knowledge, craft traditions and the situated interplay between humans, tools and materials (Mitterberger and Dörfler, 2024). Assembly-based construction processes such as bricklaying, masonry, metallic frame structures and timber structures provide a relevant testbed for this paradigm, aligning with circular construction through its potential for disassembly and reuse (Yang et al., 2024). Timber is particularly relevant for being lightweight and sustainable, but also inherently variable: elements that share identical geometry can differ significantly in internal properties, introducing uncertainty that remains difficult to fully capture through digital models alone.

While existing HRC research in timber construction has predominantly focused on bespoke prototypes and experimental demonstrations, there remains a need to investigate scalable and industry‑relevant applications, particularly in offsite contexts. Offsite timber construction combines high levels of prefabrication with tight production tolerances, making it an ideal domain for exploring how robotic systems and human expertise can be productively integrated.

The project addresses this gap by developing and evaluating an integrated HRC framework specifically tailored to offsite, assembly‑based timber construction. The proposed solution centres on three components. First, it establishes a technological framework that integrates parametric design workflows, mobile robotics, extended reality (XR) interfaces and motion capture systems. Second, the framework is grounded in an empirical understanding of industrial practice. Through engagement with industry partners, resulting insights inform the configuration of collaborative robotic tasks and interaction protocols, ensuring that the proposed system responds to real operational conditions rather than idealised laboratory assumptions. Third, the research adopts an observational and iterative approach to evaluating collaboration itself. Human-robot interactions are analysed to assess engagement, spatial accuracy and task coordination.

Technological framework

At the current stage of the CENTHAUR project, we’re exploring the potential of the technological framework, experimenting with how to connect various hardware and software components into an integrated prototype that enables HRC within a lab environment.

To this point, we have been focusing in two main tasks: the first is connecting a robotic arm to a Computational Design system, in which timber structures can be virtually designed and planned, thus ensuring that the robot supports the construction of the designed structure, as well as adapt to events during the construction process. The second task of the framework has been focusing on connecting the Design System with an Immersive Environment, currently composed of a Motion Capture system which enhances the precision of the whole system by mapping the physical and virtual models of the timber structure. Next steps include the integration of an Augmented Reality headset, which will enable human collaborators to better engage in the construction process, and a mobility solution comprising a linear rail, extending the reach of the robotic arm in the construction site.

This is the very first stage towards the exploration of HRC workflows in a lab environment. However, the vision is to start enquiring such workflows as soon as possible with the help of industry partners working with timber. Their insights on the potential of such approaches will be crucial to keep the project relevant and impactful in keeping the AEC sector up to speed in terms of technology, while keeping humans in the loop.

If you want to know more about CENTHAUR, check out the project page in the CABER website, or get in touch via email via Eduardo.Costa@uwe.ac.uk. The CENTHAUR project is being developed with the generous financial support from the Centre for Advanced Build Environment Research, and in collaboration with The Bridge Studios, namely with technical support from the amazing Technical Specialists James Knight (for robotics) and Michelle Wu (for immersive). Thank you all!

References

Dörfler, K., Sandy, T., Giftthaler, M., Gramazio, F., Kohler, M. and Buchli, J. (2016) Mobile Robotic Brickwork. Robotic Fabrication in Architecture, Art and Design 2016 [online]. pp. 204–217. Available from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-26378-6_15 [Accessed 14 January 2025].

García de Soto, B., Agustí-Juan, I., Joss, S. and Hunhevicz, J. (2022) Implications of Construction 4.0 to the workforce and organizational structures. International Journal of Construction Management [online]. 22 (2), pp. 205–217. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15623599.2019.1616414 [Accessed 13 January 2025].

M. Tehrani, B., BuHamdan, S. and Alwisy, A. (2022) Robotics in assembly-based industrialized construction: a narrative review and a look forward. International Journal of Intelligent Robotics and Applications 2022 7:3 [online]. 7 (3), pp. 556–574. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41315-022-00257-9 [Accessed 14 October 2024].

Mitterberger, D. and Dörfler, K. (2024) Rethinking Digital Construction: A Collaborative Future of Humans, Machines and Craft. Architectural Design [online]. 94 (5), pp. 108–117. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ad.3103 [Accessed 2 July 2025].

Parascho, S. (2023) Construction Robotics: From Automation to Collaboration. Annual Review of Control, Robotics, and Autonomous Systems [online]. 6 (Volume 6, 2023), pp. 183–204. Available from: https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-control-080122-090049 [Accessed 14 October 2024].

Yang, X., Amtsberg, F., Sedlmair, M. and Menges, A. (2024) Challenges and potential for human–robot collaboration in timber prefabrication. Automation in Construction [online]. 160, p. 105333. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0926580524000694 [Accessed 11 October 2024].

Insights from CABER’s First Industry Advisory Panel

Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research | 10 October 202513 October 2025

On September 2025, CABER hosted its first Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) meeting, marking a key milestone in our commitment to aligning academic research with the needs of industry, government, and society. The meeting brought together a diverse group of professionals to reflect on CABER’s research direction and explore opportunities for collaboration and impact, and on a longer term, to help ensure that our research is addressing the right issues, aligned with sector priorities, and delivering meaningful impact.

The discussion was framed around CABER’s three research themes: Digital Built Environment; Sustainable Design, Materials and Building Performance; and Property and Land in a Changing World. Here are some of the key takeaways generated within a very interesting couple of hours:

Addressing Practical Barriers to Innovation

The panel broadly agreed that while CABER’s research themes are well chosen, there’s a need to focus more explicitly on the real-world barriers that prevent innovation from being adopted in practice. These include time and budget constraints, particularly at the client level, which often limit the ability to experiment or implement change. Overcoming these barriers requires not just technical solutions, but also a cultural shift—one that highlights the tangible benefits of innovation, including financial, environmental, and operational gains.

Emphasizing the Human and Social Dimensions

Several contributions underscored the importance of incorporating social science and interdisciplinary approaches into CABER’s work. Innovation in the built environment is not just about new technologies or materials—it’s about people. Understanding how to influence mindsets, engage stakeholders, and shift behaviours is essential for sustainable transformation. This includes considering the client perspective, the role of end users, and the broader societal context in which construction and development take place.

Providing Evidence for Policy and Practice

There was strong support for CABER’s role in generating evidence-based insights that can inform policy and industry standards. Topics such as whole life and embodied carbon, maintenance strategies, and climate resilience were highlighted as areas where research can have direct impact. The panel encouraged CABER to continue producing data and analysis that can support decision-making at both strategic and operational levels, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation.

Unlocking the Potential of Digital Innovation

Digital technologies, including AI and robotics, were discussed as promising tools to address challenges like the skills shortage and housing affordability. However, the panel cautioned that the success of these technologies depends on data quality, integrity, and accessibility. Effective information management, secure data storage, and open sharing practices are essential to ensure that digital innovation can be safely and meaningfully integrated into construction workflows.

Enhancing Research Impact

To increase the impact of CABER’s research, the panel proposed several strategies. These included developing short courses for industry professionals, integrating research with delivery mechanisms, and engaging with insurers and professional institutions to build the business case for innovation. Real-world case studies were also suggested as a way to ground research in practical contexts and demonstrate its relevance to current challenges.

Next Steps

Following this first meeting, CABER will continue to work closely with the IAP to ensure our research remains relevant, impactful, and responsive to the evolving challenges of the built environment.

CABER partners with international academics to address societal challenges

Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research | 18 June 202511 July 2025

By Patrick Manu, Professor of Innovative Construction and Project Management

The UK International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) is designed to enable UK researchers and innovators to collaborate with international partners (in academia and industry) to tackle some of the pressing societal challenges. Since its inception, members of the Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research (CABER) at UWE Bristol have jointly secured this funding with collaborators in UK and several countries including Japan, Canada, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia to undertake exciting and innovative projects. These projects cover topics such as occupational safety and health, energy, immersive technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, and Industry 4.0. The projects include:

Developing a BIM-based Immersive Learning Environment for enhanced Construction Management Education and Training using VR technology (DOMINEERING)

[Participating CABER members and visiting scholar: Abhinesh Prabhakaran, Patrick Manu, and Abdul Majeed-Mahamadu| Collaborating with partners in Vietnam].

This project develops a BIM-based immersive learning platform for construction training and education in Vietnam, with a focus on safety and quality management. The platform gives training and education providers a disruptive learning solution, which can also be adopted by businesses for upskilling their human resource.

Improving Design for Occupational Safety and Health in Malaysia via Tripartite Academic-Industry-Government Engagement, Capacity Strengthening and Knowledge Exchange

[Participating CABER members & visiting scholar: Pablo Perez, Abhinesh Prabhakaran, Patrick Manu, Abdul Majeed-Mahamadu, and Che Khairil Izam Che Ibrahim | Collaborating with partners in UK, and Malaysia].

The project brings together (through a series of engagement and capacity building workshops) key stakeholders from academia, industry and government agencies to explore and co-create solutions to address the challenges affecting effective implementation of design for occupational safety and health (DfOSH) in Malaysia.

UK-Japan-Switzerland-Germany-Netherlands Transnational Network for Safer and Healthier Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) in Construction

[Participating CABER member: Patrick Manu | Collaborating with partners in UK, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, and Netherlands].

This project establishes an international interdisciplinary network of experts, including industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, and technology providers from the UK, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands to assess the current state of HRC in construction, develop roadmaps, and create a long-term interdisciplinary partnership to ensure continuous improvement in safe HRC.
UK-Indonesia-Malaysia Alliance for Occupational Safety and Health Advancement in Construction (OSH-Advance)

[Participating CABER member & visiting scholar: Patrick Manu, and Che Khairil Izam Che Ibrahim | Collaborating with partners in UK, Malaysia and Indonesia].

This project establishes a transnational network of stakeholders from academia, industry and government in UK, Malaysia, and Indonesia to identify the opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions for improving OSH management in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Pathways to Sustainability: Transforming Battery Wastes into High-Performance Carbon materials for Cleaner Energy Generation

[Participating CABER member: Patrick Manu | Collaborating with partners in UK and Vietnam].

This project aligns with circular economy principles by developing, implementing, and testing a framework for converting battery waste into low-cost energy storage systems in Vietnam.

Improving Construction Safety through AI-enabled Visual Attention Monitoring: An Immersive Approach

[Participating CABER members & visiting scholar: Abhinesh Prabhakaran, Colin Booth, Patrick Manu, and Abdul Majeed-Mahamadu | Collaborating with partners in Japan].

This project aims to develop a novel virtual reality (VR) based application that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) for assessing visual behaviour of construction workers, thereby providing pathways for enhanced worker safety training.
Digital Occupational Safety and Health (D-OSH) Network: Connecting Research, Policy and Practice in Construction Across Continents

[Participating CABER member: Patrick Manu | Collaborating with partners in UK, Canada and South Korea]

This project establishes a network with the objective of identifying the opportunities, challenges, and potential solutions to the implementation of digital technologies for occupational safety and health (OSH) management in construction. Through knowledge sharing and industry engagement, the network aspires to make contributions towards lowering the prevalence of construction-related injuries and illnesses.

If you would like to partner with our members in tackling some of society’s biggest challenges in the built environment via the ISPF or other funding schemes, do reach out to us.

Visit our CABER website for more information about our research themes, members, and their areas of expertise.

Collaborate with us to transform our built environment!

Digital Construction Climate Nexus 2025: can digital construction become a genuine driver of climate action?

Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research | 22 May 2025

by Ahmed Hagras, Senior Lecturer in Building Information Modelling, Co-programme leader MSc BIM

In 2024, we brought people together from across the built environment to ask a big question: “Are We There Yet?” It was a moment to pause and reflect on our collective progress in using digital technologies to meet the demands of the climate crisis. The conversation was open and honest.

What became clear was that while there has been real progress, we’re still a long way from fully connecting our digital capabilities with meaningful climate outcomes. So, for 2025, we’re not asking the question again. We’re taking the next step.

Digital Construction Climate Nexus 2025, hosted at UWE, is built around a new theme: From Asking to Acting. This year is all about moving the conversation forward, focusing less on where we stand and more on what we’re doing. The event brings together a rich mix of academics, industry professionals, researchers, and students to explore how digital construction can become a genuine driver of climate action. It’s not about repeating the same talking points. It’s about sharing what’s working, what’s scalable, and where the most significant challenges still lie.

One of the real strengths of this event is the diversity of its voices. You’ll hear from those working on the ground with retrofit projects, those pushing innovation in monitoring and data capture, and those developing strategies to embed carbon thinking into the earliest design stages. The breakout sessions, particularly the one led in partnership with buildingSMART UK & Ireland and nima, offer a space where technical experts, standards organisations, and academics can come together to explore real solutions.

Another exciting addition this year is the UWE & RBI Breakout Room, which will shine a spotlight on Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) opportunities and success stories. This space focuses on building stronger bridges between academia and industry through collaboration and co-creation. Attendees can expect presentations of impactful KTPs, talks from CABER members on how their research aligns with digital construction and climate goals, and a dedicated poster session, especially encouraging PhD students to showcase their work. It’s an essential reminder that research doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and when paired with practical applications, it can drive real innovation in practice.

The event is supported by CABER (Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research) here at UWE, whose generous funding helps make it possible. Events like this work because of people. They succeed because individuals are willing to share, challenge, and collaborate. And they matter because they remind us that meaningful progress only happens when we connect knowledge with action.

As Professor Alice Moncaster, Co-Director of CABER, puts it:

“In the construction sector, ‘digital innovation’ is often spoken of in the same breath as ‘climate action’. But exactly how do our rapidly growing digital tools and skills support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the mitigation of climate change? The Digital Construction Climate Nexus on 20th June will provide much-needed clarity on this issue, by bringing together academic and industry experts to present, debate and discuss the hottest topics.”

There’s something powerful about bringing together students, academics, software developers, and industry leaders in one space. It creates the kind of energy where ideas spark into something more tangible.

From Asking to Acting isn’t just a theme. It’s a reminder that every project, every piece of data, and every conversation can either move us closer to change or keep us where we are.

This year, we choose to move.

Author: Centre for Advanced Built Environment Research

Human-Robot Collaboration in Construction project presented in UWE research events