New technologies such as augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics offer enormous potential for transforming traditional craftsmanship. Prof. Christophe Barlieb from the Faculty of Architecture at OTH Regensburg coined the term ‘CyberCraft’ to describe an idea that combines digital and analogue methods in craftsmanship. Together with Prof Florian Weininger, Prof Dr Thomas Linner, Merve Karamara and Marc Schmailzl from the Faculty of Civil Engineering, he is introducing students to this approach in a series of interdisciplinary seminars. These activities take place as part of the CyberCraft Kolleg, a research project funded by the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (BIDT).
Designing and constructing with augmented reality
Works of art, buildings and nature fascinate us with their creative and complex forms. The students in the ‘CyberCraft Archive’ seminar were inspired by these shapes and structures and designed their own complex models from various materials such as cardboard, wooden sticks or beer mats. For the subsequent assembly, they relied on the support of AR technology. ‘AR shows us step by step how we have to put the individual parts together to form an aggregation so that the constructs remain stable later on,’ says Zoe Weber, a student at OTH Regensburg. ‘We don't even need to have advanced technical knowledge to do this.’
‘Complex structures also occur in construction, architecture and product design,’ adds Prof Barlieb. The methods learnt can therefore be transferred into practice in a variety of ways. ‘In the future, thanks to AR, we will no longer have to take measurements on the construction site ourselves. We will also no longer need a physical plan.’
CyberCraft: A look into the future of craftsmanship
AR is just one example of the technologies that will characterise the skilled trades and construction industry in the future. Artificial intelligence and robotics will also have an impact. With their help, tradespeople will be able to collect and analyse data and create something new.
‘We are not interested in automating everything or replacing people,’ emphasises Prof. Weininger. After all, craftsmanship is about creating unique pieces. Imperfection is often the attraction. ‘Technology provides craftspeople with new tools. This can help to make skilled trades more attractive.’
Prof Barlieb is currently setting up the CyberCraft Lab at the Faculty of Architecture at OTH Regensburg. The lab is focussing on the integration of robotics and its application in the skilled trades. Robotics is seen as a tool that complements and enhances the creative expression and precision of craftspeople. The CyberCraft College utilises the extensive infrastructure of the BuildingLab of the Faculty of Civil Engineering. This is already equipped with a wide range of machines, robots and modern learning stations that make it possible to test innovative production and design processes in a practical way. Thanks to these synergies, digital and analogue methods can be researched and further developed even more intensively in the trades and construction industry.
