Amazing architecture goes hand in hand with amazing engineering, and a Swiss/Italian team is showing how the pair will be used in the future to revolutionize the buildings of tomorrow.
The FRAC Centre in Orléans, France will host the first ever self-constructing exhibit - a simple, yet charming 6 meters tall tower comprised of 1,500 prefabricated polystyrene foam modules, put together by clock-work precise flying drones. The project was started by Swiss architecture firm Gramazio & Kohler and Italian robot designer Raffaello D'Andrea, with the purpose of inspiring new methods of thinking about architecture as a "physical process of dynamic formation."
A slew of programmed quadrocopters will interact, lift, transport and assemble the final tower, set to be at a height of 6 meters (19.7 feet) and a diameter of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet). At one particular moment, the set-up will be able to handle 50 flying robots, all tracked simultaneously at a rate of 370 frames per second.
Each quadrocopter is masterfully fitted with control technology, which allows is to perform most of its automated flights and operations, besides allowing for manual control from a wireless panel. D'Andrea has also taken into account the genuine possibility of mid-air collision between the flying assembly bots, so a safety management solution was employed which automagically takes over and avoids any mishap.
The Flight Assembled Architecture exhibition will be on display at the FRAC Centre from December 2 through to February 19, 2012. So if you happen to be in Orleans during that time frame, don't miss this.
