Automated tunnel robotic installation system (ATRIS)
Project challenges
Manual installation of mechanical and electrical (M&E) services within a tunnel environment is hazardous, labour intensive and time-consuming. The ATRIS project aims to demonstrate the real-life benefits of using robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the installation of these services.
Business challenge
Process Innovation
Sector
Road & Rail
Technology or capability
Automation & Robotics
Digital Manufacturing
Working with partners Tunnel Engineering Systems (UK) Ltd, Costain, i3D Robotics and VVB Engineering, MTC has demonstrated the real-life benefits and validated the use of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in automating the installation of mechanical and electrical services within a tunnel environment, identifying improvements in safety, sustainability and productivity.
The Challenge
Manual installation of mechanical and electrical (M&E) services within a tunnel environment is hazardous, labour intensive and time-consuming. The ATRIS project aims to demonstrate the real-life benefits of using robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the installation of these services.
ATRIS revolutionises the stages from design through installation, operations and maintenance, showing how automation can promote safety, reduce carbon emissions and increase productivity compared to traditional labour and time intensive installation techniques.
MTC's Solution
- Design a robotic system which removes humans from the hazardous mechanical, electrical and communications services install in tunnel environments.
- Manufacture a robotic solution to automate the handling and installation of M&E services.
- Prove out the concept at MTC on a small scale.
- Develop a full-size demonstrator at the end of the project to showcase the technology and its use case.
By contributing our expertise to this project, we are paving the way for construction companies to adopt technology for greater control and structuring of on-site works, making infrastructure delivery safer, more productive, and more sustainable.
Steve Nesbitt, Interim Sector Director - Built Environment, MTC
The Outcome
- Proof of concept developed for picking and placing brackets and for picking and inserting fastening mechanisms.
- Robots mounted onto a linear motion rail to allow for maximum work envelope.
- Linear motion rail mounted onto a bogey with hydraulic outriggers to increase stability.
- Vision systems installed to help locate the position of the platform in relation to the tunnel wall and the socket detection for fastener insertion.
- 3D mapping of the tunnel environment.
Benefits to the Client
- Reduced requirement for humans to operate in unsafe and hazardous working environments.
- Increased productivity through a faster installation process.
- Reduction in installation costs for new M&E systems.
- Reduction in construction plan movements with associated savings of embodied carbon.
- Elimination of hand and arm vibration.
- Promoting digitisation across the industry.
