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LAYERED – Advanced construction robots for autonomous surface finishing

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The project management is responsible for the content of the information provided.

Project data

  • Project no: GRS-009/24 
  • Amount of funding: CHF 150'000 
  • Approved: 24.04.2024 
  • Duration: 12.2024 - 03.2026 
  • Area of activity:  InnoBooster, seit 2018

Project management

Project description

In the last 30 years, Switzerland's construction industry has faced a declining number of skilled workers with an continuously aging workforce, with the average age of 40.4 years old in Switzerland. With Europe expecting 41% of its workforce to retire by 2031, the second biggest industrial sector is ripe for digitalization.
In response, LAYERED introduces a pioneering solution: autonomous mobile robots for the plastering sector, equipped with state-of-the-art control technology. This innovation targets two critical issues: a severe labor shortage and the urgent need for sustainable practices in an industry accountable for colossal carbon emissions globally.
Our approach with LAYERED is to transform these century-old construction practices by integrating advanced robotic technologies and a unique thin-layer printing method. Our aim is to make construction more sustainable, efficient and safer. The technology reduces material waste and accelerates project timelines, addressing Europe's pressing housing crisis.
Collaborating closely with the stakeholders of the construction industry, LAYERED is set to reshape the field. By minimizing the reliance on manual labor, deployment of our robots not only enhances on-site safety but also attracts a younger, tech-savvy workforce to an industry that is in urgent need of transformation.
Through LAYERED, we are redefining the construction landscape, aligning it with modern efficiency, sustainability standards, and reviving the interest in a career in the construction sector among the new generation.

Status/Results

In the initial phase, LAYERED will focus on developing a next-generation prototype and testing it in a mockup construction site to simulate real-world conditions. Key efforts include creating an intuitive, user-friendly interface tailored for construction workers, ensuring the technology is accessible to non-experts. Continuous feedback from industry partners will guide system refinement and alignment with practical needs.
This phase will also strengthen collaborations with plastering companies and other stakeholders, paving the way for pilot deployments by mid-2025. By addressing labor shortages and promoting sustainable practices, LAYERED aims to validate its technology in real-world applications, establishing readiness for commercialization and market adoption.

Links

Persons involved in the project

Eliott Sounigo, founder & CEO, co-project leader, email ETH, email Layered
Dr. Selen Ercan Jenny, founder & CSO, co-project leader. email ETH, email Layered
Davide Baret, Mechanical Engineer, Control Dev
Pierre Chassagne, Robotics Engineer, Software Dev
Diego Machin Rivera, Computational Scientist, Robotics and AI
Amir-Ali Amini-Aghdam, UI/UX designer

Last update to this project presentation  17.12.2024