Construction Site Meet Our Robots

Bringing Robotics to the Construction Site: A Collaborative Research Effort at LSU’s Science Complex

On February 26, 2025, our research teams—led by Dr. Amir Jafari and Dr. Chao Wang—conducted an exciting site visit at the Science Complex Building construction site here at LSU. This visit marked a significant milestone in our ongoing research efforts to integrate advanced robotics and sensing technologies into construction workflows and education. Our team, which included PhD students Sorena Vosoughkhosravi, Hameedreza Gucci, Mohammad S. Islam, Obiora J. Odugu, Muhammad T. Khan, Mahdi Bonyaniakbarabadi, Maryam Soleymani, and Christopher J. Dean, deployed a variety of robotic systems, including robot dogs (SPOT and Pepper) equipped with 360-degree cameras and drones, to collect comprehensive data from the site.

From my perspective, this visit served two key purposes:

1. Developing Learning Modules: We are working on creating immersive learning environments that introduce students to real-world construction settings. The data collected—images, videos, and spatial scans—will help us design interactive modules that bring actual jobsite conditions into the classroom, particularly through virtual reality (VR) experiences.

2. Exploring Automation Potential: We’re also investigating how robotics, scanning, and sensing technologies can support automation and monitoring on active construction sites. The use of robotic dogs and drones provides an innovative way to capture data, monitor progress, and potentially improve safety and efficiency in construction projects.

These collaborative efforts reflect LSU’s commitment to advancing construction technologies and workforce development, preparing students for the future of the built environment while pushing the boundaries of automation and robotics in construction.