Japanese construction company Obayashi Corporation has inaugurated a new research and development center in Singapore, aiming to serve as a hub for nurturing and disseminating next-generation construction technologies across Asia. The focus will be on construction robotics, which is experiencing active development and application in the region. The center will foster collaborative research and development with universities, research institutions, construction companies, and startups, supporting the implementation of these technologies at construction sites throughout Asia. This initiative underscores Obayashi Corporation's commitment to strengthening R&D efforts through active internal and external collaboration.

The new R&D hub, named "Obayashi Construction-Tech Lab Singapore (OCLS)," is located within the open innovation facility of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore. In 2022, Obayashi established the "Asia Digital Lab Project Team," the precursor to OCLS, to gather information on the latest construction technologies in Asia. The lab will conduct field trials and promote the application of construction automation technologies in collaboration with startups from various Asian countries. Additionally, it will engage in the research and development of construction 3D printing technologies.

For the promotion and practical application of construction automation technologies, Obayashi will conduct field verifications at its local subsidiary’s construction sites, collaborating with startups in the construction automation sector. These efforts will leverage BCA subsidies. For instance, the company will introduce concrete troweling and leveling robots from a Chinese robotics manufacturer to enhance productivity during concrete pouring operations.

In the field of construction 3D printing technology, Obayashi will partner with the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP) at Nanyang Technological University. They will establish a joint research lab to combine Obayashi's expertise developed in Japan with SC3DP's technological capabilities. This collaboration aims to expand the application of 3D printing technology in the construction industry, focusing on developing sustainable construction materials, mechanical joints, and multi-material components.

Moreover, Obayashi will engage in joint research with the Singapore University of Technology and Design to establish and commercialize innovative next-generation construction processes. This research will explore methods to map construction sites using sensors and AI, creating environments suitable for robotics technology, and developing platforms to remotely manage multiple construction sites simultaneously.

Looking ahead, Obayashi plans to extend its research beyond construction robotics to other fields, actively disseminating and promoting the outcomes of its R&D activities. (2024/07/22)