Publication

Hybrid Digital Crafts With Collaborative Robotics

PUBLICATION DATE: 7 July, 2022 PUBLICATION AUTHOR/S: Burden, A, Donovan, J, Caldwell, G and Belek Fialho Teixeira, M

Bespoke manufacturers that fabricate for architecture and design rely on skill artisans such as patternmakers to remain profitable. Collaborative robotics and augmented reality (AR) offer new technological options and approaches that integrate with existing artisan techniques. Can these technologies provide productive and practical assistance to skilled handcraft artisans?

This research presents an original approach to robotic fabrication using AR robot control, and artisan techniques to fabricate an original design. The method includes documenting artisan ethnography, designing a custom cutting end effector and an AR control interface, utilising the capabilities of the robot fabricating system.

The research outcome is a hybrid digital craft approach to collaborative robotic patternmaking and handcrafting. The fabrication system reduced the amount of time and physical exertion of designing and cutting out patterns from various materials. This demonstrates that robotic tools can expand rather than replace the capability of existing artisan occupations, helping to strengthen resilience in local industries and promote new innovations.

RELATED PROGRAM/S:
Designing Socio-technical Robotic Systems Publication link

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