Integration of unmanned drones and ground-based construction robots: coordination and data exchange systems for integrated construction automation

Abstract

The digitalization of the construction industry requires new approaches to organizing the interaction of various autonomous systems. This study is devoted to the development and analysis of the effectiveness of integrated systems for coordination and data exchange between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground-based construction robots. Based on the analysis of existing communication protocols and interaction algorithms, the key limitations of modern autonomous agent collaboration systems in construction have been identified. A multilevel architecture of information interaction using hybrid data transmission protocols is proposed. The results of testing the developed system at three construction sites of various scales using multirotor UAVs and modular ground-based robotic complexes are used as an empirical basis. The results of the study demonstrate an increase in the accuracy of positioning construction robots by 43.7% when using aerial photography data from UAVs, a 38.2% reduction in construction time, and a 27.5% reduction in energy consumption of robotic systems due to optimization of routes and operating modes. The proposed approach to the integration of various types of robotic systems through a unified data bus based on the modified MQTT protocol ensures the scalability of the solution and compatibility with existing information systems of construction sites. The practical significance of the research lies in the possibility of applying the developed methodology to increase the efficiency of construction work and expand the functionality of automated construction systems.