Hilti unveiled its first Jaibot, a semi-autonomous mobile ceiling hole drilling machine with Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology. Hilti Jaibot will help installation contractors improve productivity, improve safety and tackle labor shortages during the pandemic. Hilti's new robotic solution is another step towards digitalizing construction sites.
Hilti Jaibot solves its problems on the basis of building information modeling - BIM. The robot is completely wireless and easy to use and requires no special skills. He orients himself precisely in the room, drills holes with dust neutralization technology and marks them according to the type of construction work. This is why this solution is ideal for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) installations.
Jaibot is operated by an operator using a remote control to move from one place to another. Once in the drilling area, the robot automatically drills all holes within reach. Jaibot receives data from the Hilti PLT 300 robotic total station and allows you to upload and download data in real time to track progress from Hilti cloud storage, as well as perform basic functions offline in places without a cellular network, such as basements.
“The performance of the construction industry has lagged behind other sectors for many years. Demands for profitability and a shortage of skilled labor have already become a reality and are increasingly hampering overcoming underperformance. But taking advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalization can compensate for this. We do this by intelligently linking processes, people and data,”comments Ian Dungaji, Board Member of the Hilti Group. “Together with Jaibot, in close collaboration with our customers, we are taking another step towards understanding the efficiencies that digital transformation can and will bring to construction sites in the future.”
The paradigm shift in the construction industry is in full swing
Overtime and budget overruns are common, especially for large construction projects. Significant productivity gains are possible thanks to digital planning of construction projects and their implementation using robotic solutions. BIM-enabled robotic solutions also make the construction process more transparent with faster execution times, consistent productivity and fewer errors. The daily progress report can be transferred from the construction site to the project office via cloud services. Potential disagreements between construction trades involved on a construction site can also be detected early and then eliminated, resulting in more projects being completed on time and on budget.
Helping workers tackle the toughest jobs
Security played an important role in the development of Jaibot. It is designed to assist professionals with physically demanding, repetitive jobs such as drilling multiple holes overhead for mechanical, electrical or plumbing installations. The robot is controlled from a remote control using data from the Hilti PLT 300 robotic total station. Holes within reach are drilled automatically.
“We investigated which typical jobs on a construction site are the most stressful, and these are primarily jobs above human height,” says Julia Zanona, robotics manager at Hilti. “From the very beginning, it was important for us to develop a robotic solution that would support our customers where they need it most. Working with a team of installers, Hilti Jaibot takes on the toughest and most grueling tasks.”
