Tunnel Construction Professionals
Construction Robotics Division
General Manager, Construction Engineering Department 1, Construction Robotics Division, Obayashi Corporation Toshihisa OKA
“Improving Safety, Productivity and Quality”
Support for remote, labor-saving and automated construction
Construction Robotics Division deals with Obayashi Corporation's construction technology, specifically machinery and electricity. With basic technologies such as power receiving and distribution, machine control and hydraulic electric circuits, our division had been responsible mainly for construction planning and management of technologies for mountain tunnels, shield tunnels, dams and so on. In recent years, we have also been engaged in technology development and construction support for remote, labor-saving and automated construction machinery using robots, AI, telecommunication, and IoT technologies.
There are two Robotics Centers, one in eastern Japan (Saitama Prefecture) and the other in western Japan (Osaka Prefecture). They not only manage the maintenance of Obayashi's construction equipment, but also develop machine technology and conduct demonstration tests, creating the company's own special technology.
Our role is to utilize these resources to provide technology that not only meets current on-site needs and conditions but also stay a step ahead and proactively deliver advanced technology. The aim might be resolving urgent issues at the sites, or proposing improvements with new technology for further construction efficiency.
Improving productivity and quality while ensuring safety
Within the Construction Robotics Division, my department is engaged in technological development mainly of tunneling projects such as mountain tunnels and shield tunnels, and support of civil engineering work. We make utmost efforts to achieve safety, productivity and quality improvement.
In terms of safety, we offer machines that enable remote operation without entering hazardous areas. Recent examples include Quick Telector, which conduct remote-controlled erection of steel supports for mountain tunnels, and Roboltus, a dedicated machine for installing rock bolts.
With regard to productivity and quality improvement, remarkable development of AI and other information technologies has become a hot topic in recent years, but the reality is that they have not yet achieved the level of efficiency in work that has been carried out by people. The issue at hand is how to approach that level.
Development of personnel with skills in other engineering fields
Construction Robotics Division, dealing with mechanical and electrical fields, has been involved mainly in construction planning and management for civil engineering and building work. Based on these expertise, we need to tackle new technologies, incorporating the knowledge of AI, robotics and telecommunication. Thus, we are also focusing on human resource development in these areas.
In our division, we cultivate human resources by letting the new employees experience various types of construction at sites, such as mountain tunnels, shield tunnels and building work. The technology used at one type of construction work can be developed to another, which is one of the characteristics of our personnel development.
For example, in shield tunneling, remote operation and automation are relatively advanced, and the technologies and concepts may be applied to mountain tunneling and building work.
Highly practical machines and technologies based on cross-divisional expertise
No matter how advanced a machine or technology is, it is of no value if it is not used on site. Keeping in mind my position in charge of Obayashi's robotics technology, which is at the forefront of the construction industry, I would like to further advance technology of practical use, for site workers.
Even though my department is in charge of civil engineering work, mainly tunnel construction, Construction Robotics Division is involved in a wide range of fields, from green energy field, such as wind power generation, special piles and foundations for structures, to technology for seismic isolation and vibration control. Employees might be working on shield tunnels and then move on to deal with green energy. Construction Robotics Division is challenging and interesting division, as the technology one handled in the past is often be utilized in other types of construction work.
