CONCERT

Project description

CONCERT – CONfigurable CollaborativE Robot Technologies is developing a new generation of modular construction-site robots for the construction industry of the future. On today’s construction sites, work is still dominated by physically demanding, repetitive, and in some cases hazardous tasks. Heavy loads, dusty or pollutant-contaminated environments, and high-risk activities such as cutting, drilling, or spraying lead to elevated accident risk and long-term health impacts. At the same time, the industry is facing increasing pressure from skilled-labour shortages, cost constraints, and tight project deadlines

This is where CONCERT comes in: the international research project, involving six partners, aims to develop a universally deployable, modular construction-site robot capable of moving extremely heavy loads and performing a wide range of on-site tasks. The robotic platform is intended not only for transporting building components, but also for use in hazardous or health-critical operations. The project focuses on collaborative robotics—enabling humans and robots to work together safely and efficiently directly on real construction sites—an essential step toward the automation and digitalization of the construction industry.

Project objectives and technical innovation

The goal of CONCERT is to develop a configurable, robust, and intelligent robotic platform that can be flexibly adapted to different construction-site tasks and operating environments.

Key innovations include:

• Modular construction-site robot: The robot is composed of individual modules and can be configured to suit specific tasks—ranging from transport and handling to on-site processing operations (e.g., cutting or spraying). Despite its modular architecture, it is designed to safely move extremely heavy loads.
• Operation in unstructured environments: Advanced robotic hardware, sensing technologies, and self-configurable software enable robust, safe, and efficient operation in unstructured, dynamic construction-site settings.
• Collaborative robotics (human–robot collaboration): The robot is explicitly designed to work alongside people. Tasks are completed jointly—the robot takes over heavy, repetitive, or hazardous activities, while humans contribute expertise, experience, and complex decision-making.
• AI-supported interaction and task allocation: PROFACTOR contributes expertise in camera- and deep-learning-based human–machine interaction, as well as simulation-driven task allocation using reinforcement learning. This enables virtual training to optimize learn how robots and humans should divide work most effectively.

The proof of concept will be carried out on real construction sites to demonstrate that CONCERT works under practical conditions and has strong potential for real-world adoption in the construction sector.

Modular construction-site robotics for safe, efficient construction processes

• For manufacturing: CONCERT enables flexible, adaptive production processes in which AI systems can respond quickly to new products, variants, and disruptions. Humans and AI complement each other—AI takes over repetitive, data-intensive tasks, while people contribute experience, creativity, and contextual understanding.

• For construction companies: CONCERT reduces physical strain and accident risks, increases productivity, and helps address skilled-labour shortages. Heavy transport, repetitive work, and hazardous processes can be automated or partially automated.
• For workers: Collaborative construction-site robots relieve construction personnel of the most physically demanding and highest-risk tasks. This improves occupational safety and health protection and helps extend working life.
• For the construction industry and digital transformation: CONCERT demonstrates how collaborative robotics, AI, and modular robotic systems can be deployed in real construction practice—an important building block for “Construction Site 4.0.”

Funded by the EU under the ICT-47-2020 programme, CONCERT makes a pioneering contribution to the automation of the construction sector. The project demonstrates how configurable, collaborative construction-site robots can make tomorrow’s building processes safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.