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From: aba-net <interface.public@xxxxxxxx>
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Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:30:01 +0530
Robo-builder threatens the brickie
Robert Booth
IS THE writing on the wall for the brickie? Engineers are racing to
unveil the world’s first robot capable of building a house at the touch
of a button. The first prototype — a watertight shell of a two-storey
house built in 24 hours without a single builder on site — will be
erected in California before April.
A rival design, being pioneered in the East Midlands, with £1.2m of
government funding, will include sunken baths, fireplaces and cornices.
There are even plans for robots to supplant painters and decorators by
spraying colourful frescoes at an affordable price.
By building almost an entire house from just two materials — concrete
and gypsum — the robots will eliminate the need for dozens of
traditional components, including floorboards, wooden window frames and
possibly even wallpaper. It may eventually be possible to use specially
treated gypsum instead of glass window panes.
cont'd....
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2546574,00.html