Hp has unveiled HP SitePrint, a robotic solution that autonomously prints the most complex construction site layouts with pinpoint accuracy. The company claims the bot can finish a layout in a “fraction” of the time humans require – improving productivity by as much as ten times.
HP SitePrint is an end-to-end, easy-to-use suite of technologies designed to automate the site layout process. It consists of a rugged and autonomous robotic device designed to operate in the conditions of the construction site. With the help of a remote control tablet and cloud tools, the machine can outline walls, doors, and other elements with little intervention.
Designed for autonomous operation, including obstacle avoidance, HP SitePrint can improve the productivity of the site layout process. It can print lines and complex objects with pinpoint accuracy and consistent repeatability, while text printing capabilities bring additional data from the digital model to the construction site, improving communication between construction professionals.
The robot can ride both on smooth surfaces and on rough ones, such as asphalt. While driving, it automatically avoids obstacles up to 2 cm (0.8 in) high. It can work around barriers even if they’re not in the plans. The robot uses two batteries, each of which provides work for four hours. It can print on surfaces like concrete, plywood, and terrazzo, even if they’re rough.
“The existing manual layout process can be slow and labor intensive. Despite being done by specialists, there is always the risk of human error, which can result in costly reworks,” said Albert Zulps, Director of Emerging Technology at Skanska – a global construction and development company currently utilizing HP SitePrint on two prominent US projects. “Layout experts are a scarce resource who add a lot of value in terms of planning and strategy but often end up dedicating most of their time to manual execution. HP SitePrint lets us do more with less, helping reduce schedules thanks to a much faster layout process and allowing senior operators to focus on other critical activities like quality control.”
HP SitePrint has been rigorously tested across multiple environments – including residential, parking, airport, and hospital projects. As part of the Early Access Program, HP SitePrint will be available to customers in North America starting in September 2022. The final product and wider commercial launch are planned for 2023.
