Human Tech
Overview
Country:
Germany
Level of Outreach:
National
Field of Interest(s):
Digitalization & industrialization (e.g. integrating AI practices, using CAD software for 2D and 3D, industrialized and modular construction, use of prefabricated building systems)
Supported By:
EU
Description
At HumanTech, we develop innovative, human-centred technologies that go beyond the current state of the art. With them, we strive to contribute to the digitalization of the construction industry, making it safer and more productive, encouraging a new generation of highly skilled professionals, and accelerating the transition to green construction.
Project/Initiative Data
Project/Initiative Website:
https://humantech-horizon.eu/training/
Start Date:
June 1, 2022
End Date:
May 31, 2025
Total Budget:
10000000
What makes this project/initiative unique?:
It identifies the training needs for developing adequate programs in respect of energy efficiency, digitalisation and circular economy in construction sector, It addresses to a variety of European priorities (e.g. the aforementioned European Skills Agenda, the European Green Deal or the Digital Agenda)
Partners
TUS led on training content development
Aim
The HumanTech partners have designed and created 10 new training modules based on the project outputs. Each module known as a Micro Learning Unit or MLU can be delivered in less than 60 mins. It is designed to be delivered as a stand alone training module by an expert trainer to a variety of construction roles and abilities. They can be also taken as self directed training by logging on to our eLearning platform.
Target Groups:
Tailored micro learning units (MLUs) were co-created within the HumanTech project, utilising the project results, specifically relying on the pilot sites and new technology development as guides for designing and building the new training content. The construction sector is among the least digitalised industries, therefore the training created within the HT project has significant potential to have a positive impact on the construction sector. The longer term availability of content from the HumanTech project in the form of stand-alone micro learning units (MLUs) has the potential to bring about improvements in upskilling, reskilling and training for new skills identified when delivered to the current and future workforce.
The micro learning units created within the HT project focus on not only the trainees but also the trainers. The learning units and training materials will assist and support trainers to deliver more flexible and innovative ways of upskilling with new and relevant content. The materials created are adaptable and easily integrated into existing training to further enhance the training offering already being provided in higher education (HE), vocational education and training (VET) or in industry through continued professional development (CPD).
10 Micro-Learning Units (MLU’s) have been designed, targeted at the construction sector workforce. These are presented as Open Educational Resources (OER) to be utilised throughout Europe. The development of these MLU’s was a collaborative process, utilising both industry and educational expertise within the HT project. Through this thorough, collaborative process, a focus was placed on broader sustainability and circular economy issues within the construction sector and on health and safety.
Outcomes
Results of the project/initiative:
The project has recently finished with significant achievements at different levels:
- The definition of an extended BIM format, the BIMxD has progressed through the development of an information delivery manual and the specifications of BIMxD data platform.
- A fully automated pipeline that transforms 3D point cloud scans to BIM models using the IFC format is now in place. Its development was supported by the collection of diverse datasets in construction sites using different sensors in handheld or terrestrial mode, or mounted on semi-autonomous ground and aerial vehicles. A novel RGB-D spherical capturing device prototype from RICOH is in use in the project, allowing single click reconstruction of entire rooms.
- The development of wearable devices for construction is also progressing well, with a body-sensor network for worker pose being already integrated with a helmet-mounted wide angle camera. Meanwhile, integration of an exoskeleton with the system in order to achieve selective activation for worker support is ongoing, as well as the integration of an XR-glass for the visualization of BIMxD information on-site.
- Assistance robotics for construction are also progressing significantly. The robotic perception system uses an RGB-D camera to estimate the pose of material such as bricks for robotic picking. Robotic end-effectors for construction tasks such as brick grasping or mastic application have been developed. New approaches for human-robot communication are already in place and being tested. As a next step, the main robotic platform of the project will become available for integration.
- HumanTech recognizes the importance of keeping users in the loop during the development of new technologies. Therefore, a campaign for early evaluation and feedback from construction workers and engineers was carried out with workshops at 3 construction sites in Spain and Ireland. The results of these workshops were analysed and will be taken into account in technological developments in the second half of the project.
- The ultimate objective of HumanTech is to be able to demonstrate its technologies in actual construction environments by the end of the project. 5 pilots have been planned as key final project results and are all under development through the integration of technology components from all work packages.
- 10 new micro learning units for education and training have been piloted
- Finally, HumanTech has already shown significant scientific excellence. Project results have already been published in 6 peer-reviewed, top-tier publications in different fields such as AI and computer vision, construction and robotics. HumanTech technologies such as the automated scan-to-BIM pipeline or the object pose estimation have entered international challenges in their areas and even received 1st place awards.
Replication of Good Practice
Training/skills
Organisation & Contact
Organisation:
Higher Education Institution
| Name of Organisation | HumanTech |
|---|---|
| Town/City | Kaiserslautern |
| Coordinator E-Mail | jason_raphael.rambach@dfki.de |
| Coordinator Website | https://humantech-horizon.eu/ |
| Name of The Person Responsible | Jason Rambach |