Automation in Construction in brief – 15/03/2025
Automation and Digitization
Bauma 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery, will spotlight advancements in automation and robotics. Exhibitors like Famic Technologies will present Automation Studio™, a comprehensive system design and simulation software for fields including robotics and industrial automation. The event will also feature autonomous construction machines, enhancing efficiency and safety on job sites. Additionally, the Start-up Area will showcase innovations from emerging companies, emphasizing the industry’s commitment to technological progress.
Source: https://bauma.de/de/
According to The Economist, China’s artificial-intelligence sector is experiencing astonishing growth. The launch of Manus, an AI bot by Butterfly Effect, drew such massive interest that its registration site crashed. Server manufacturers are expected to invest over 1.4 trillion yuan ($200bn) in AI-related hardware this year, highlighting the rapid expansion of the industry.
Source: https://www.economist.com/business/2025/03/11/chinas-ai-boom-is-reaching-astonishing-proportions
Mistral, a French AI startup founded in 2023 by ex-Meta and Google DeepMind researchers, has rapidly ascended to become Europe’s largest in its field. The firm has secured significant funding, reflecting Europe’s ambition to bolster its technological sovereignty in AI. Mistral’s growth underscores a strategic shift towards reducing reliance on American and Chinese tech giants, positioning itself as a key player in the global AI landscape.
Source: https://www.economist.com/business/2025/03/06/mistral-europes-biggest-ai-startup-is-blowing-hot
At Hannover Messe 2025, Zeiss Digital Innovation won the Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award (Mima) in the “Scale” category. By combining virtual and physical measurement technology, Zeiss successfully reduced waste in manufacturing, thereby increasing efficiency. The Mima award recognizes innovative solutions that drive digital transformation in the manufacturing industry.
Source: https://www.ingenieur.de/hannover-messe/die-buerokratie-in-der-industrie-mit-ki-zaehmen/
Construction Robotics
The inaugural German Robotics Conference (GRC) took place from March 13 to 15, 2025, in Nuremberg, showcasing Germany’s advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. Organized by the Robotics Institute Germany (RIG), the event featured over 200 researchers presenting cutting-edge developments across various sectors, including industrial, medical, and agricultural robotics. The conference also facilitated the formation of new research clusters to progress innovations in AI-based robotics.
Source: https://robotics-institute-germany.de/event/first-german-robotics-conference/
A five-ton tractor was remotely operated over 200 kilometers at the Hannover Messe, showcasing Fraunhofer IOSB-AST’s retrofit technology. The Environment-Perception-Kit (EnvP-Kit) equips existing vehicles with autonomous functions and assistance systems. The innovation offers flexible applications in agriculture, mining, and crisis zones, promising enhanced efficiency and safety in hazardous environments.
Source: https://www.ingenieur.de/hannover-messe/5-tonnen-traktor-aus-200-km-entfernung-steuern/
Google unveils Gemini Robotics, an AI model based on Gemini 2.0, enhancing human-machine interaction via voice commands. Demonstrated on Franka Emika robots at Munich’s Automatica fair, the model translates visual and spatial data into control signals, enabling tasks like tying shoelaces. With embodied reasoning capabilities, Gemini Robotics adapts to dynamic environments, pushing the boundaries of robotic dexterity and real-world applications.
Tern AI, an Austin-based startup, has unveiled a low-cost alternative to GPS that determines a vehicle’s position using only map data and existing vehicle sensors, eliminating the need for satellites or Wi-Fi. The system leverages AI to analyze road features, such as lane markings and landmarks, to pinpoint location with high accuracy. At SXSW, Tern showcased its potential to enhance navigation reliability and security.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/14/tern-ais-low-cost-gps-alternative-actually-works/
Japan’s service robot market is projected to nearly triple by 2030, reaching ¥400 billion ($2.7 billion). This surge is driven by an aging population—expected to see nearly 40% aged 65 or older by 2065—and a looming labor shortfall of 11 million by 2040. Companies like Skylark are integrating robots into operations; the restaurant chain employs around 3,000 cat-eared robots to serve customers.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/09/japans-service-robot-market-projected-to-triple-in-five-years/
Space Construction
The Lunar Magnetotelluric Sounder (LMS), part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, has begun geophysical measurements in the Mare Crisium basin. Using magnetotelluric technology, it analyzes electric and magnetic fields to probe the Moon’s interior to depths of up to 1,100 kilometers. The mission aims to reveal the Moon’s geological history and detect molten rock layers—crucial for future lunar resource utilization and the establishment of lunar bases.
Thales Alenia Space has secured a contract with Telespazio to design and develop the space segment of the European Space Agency’s Moonlight program. This initiative aims to establish a satellite constellation orbiting the Moon, providing advanced communication and navigation services. The infrastructure will support precise lunar landings, surface mobility, and facilitate high-speed data transfer between Earth and the Moon, marking a significant step in sustained lunar exploration.
The European Space Agency’s Metal 3D Printer aboard the International Space Station has produced its first metal part in orbit, now returned to Earth for analysis. Installed by astronaut Andreas Mogensen in January 2024, the printer uses stainless steel wire melted by a high-power laser to create metal components. This advancement enables astronauts to manufacture essential parts and tools on-demand during missions, reducing reliance on resupply from Earth.
Source: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/02/Metal_made_in_space_lands_on_Earth