The product launch and application kick-off event for the "Tianmu No 1" intelligent construction inspection robotic dog was held in Hangzhou on Jan 28. It was jointly developed by Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Yujiashan Technology (Zhejiang) Co, and other organizations.

The team led by Peng Gang and Tao Wenbing from the School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation at HUST developed the "construction inspection embodied intelligent robotic dog", which has showcased impressive capabilities. It can significantly reduce safety risks while improving construction quality and progress management.

"Tianmu No 1" has undergone nearly a year of on-site testing at a housing project in Linping New City, Hangzhou. This marks a significant step for embodied intelligent technology in smart construction scenarios, moving from "laboratory development" to "on-site application", with iterative improvements aligned with the construction project lifecycle.

The robotic dog can monitor unsafe worker behavior, unprotected edge openings, and violations such as improper use of protective gear or smoking, as well as potential fire hazards. Equipped with high-precision laser scanning and ultrasonic flaw detection technology, it can perform crack inspections. The robotic dog can also collaborate with drones to form an integrated "air-to-ground" intelligent inspection system, providing digital support for project progress tracking and quality control.

Peng stated that the project enables the embodied intelligent robotic dog to be widely deployed across multiple scenarios, including building construction, earthworks, rail transit, and large-scale infrastructure inspections. It provides a replicable and scalable "embodied intelligence” solution that supports the high-quality development of the smart construction industry.

Source: School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation, HUST