Automation and robotics in construction - Vol.1

With approx. one hundred papers from seventeen countries this symposium will show clear trends of an interesting and challenging subject. One line in the recent developments is aimed to improve already existing machinery with IT-equipment and new sensor systems. Excavators and tunneling machines are typical examples. Serious problems for our society - environmental pollution with leaking sewers or the dismantling of atomic power plants only to mention some of them - are creating new kinds of robotic systems. Only minor steps to increase productivity, shortage of skilled labour and the current image of the construction industry related to the working conditions are important items to consider new handling and safety systems. Futhermore the planning and organization of work in the construction industry has to be improved to gain the full benefits of automated systems.