Long-term autOnomy For service robots in consTruction (LOFT)
The LOFT project aims to explore the potential of robotics and AI in the construction sector by employing mobile service robots with long-term autonomy to transport material for workers reliably and efficiently while maintaining safe worker-robot interaction.

Long-term autOnomy For service robots in consTruction (LOFT)
The adoption of machinery and technological innovations in the construction industry, as described by end-users, is traditionally based on a) safety, which relates to the construction industry's goals of minimizing injuries; b) reliability, where equipment must be robust and able to function for a long time or over operational lifetime; and c) efficiency, which targets machines that can optimize a task and thus constitute a fruitful investment.
To cope with those technological and market barriers, we will focus on the use case of long-term autonomous and socially safe service robots for material transportation in a construction site.
Specifically, a worker will load material, such as bricks, tools, and demolition material, onto an outdoor mobile robot. Simply press a button, and the robot will begin autonomously transporting the material to another predefined target location on the construction site.
Using advanced AI, sensors and the locomotion-navigation control system will secure that the robot moves smoothly around workers without interrupting their activities or putting them in direct danger.
Finally, when the robot reaches the target location, it will wait to execute the same task in another target location. This achievement has not been demonstrated so far. Potential service tasks beyond the use case: The LOFT technology can be extended and applied to other service applications (for companies outside the project) that require object transportation in complex environments with safe human-robot interaction (e.g., logistics, agriculture, mining).
Purpose / Vision
The purpose of the project is to demonstrate transfer of materials within the construction site is, which is one of the most common tasks in construction since it covers not only the transfer of building material and tools closer to the builders but also the removal of material. Today task like this are performed by workers using wheelbarrows, in the best-case scenario motorized, that adversely effects on building efficiency and increases injuries in the short and long terms.
Expected Results
The project will secure that the end-users will obtain a real-world indication of the future potential for robotic technologies as an integral part of the building construction process. The participating technology providers/robotics companies will gain significant experience in using their products in new domain uses and understand end-user requirements.
The LOFT project wil start at a TRL4 level and reach TRL 5-6 by completion.
Project participants
Funding
The Ministry of Higher Education and Science has financed this project with 350.000 DKK.
Start and finish
The project runs from September 2021 – December 2022
Progress
Follow the loft project's progress via this link
Contact
Do you want to get involved or hear more? Do not hesitate to reach out:
- SDU: Poramate Manoonpong: [email protected] / +45 6550 8698
- DTI: Lars Dalgaard: [email protected] +45 7220 39 83
- DTU: Evangelos Boukas: [email protected] +45 5290 1729
Contact us to learn more
Curious to find out more about the project and how you can get involved? Get in touch with Ole.

Knowledge-based innovation and the Fehmarn Belt project