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Investigation into a pick and place operation for onsite construction application

Nilsson, Joen LU (2026) In CODEN:LUTEDX/TEIE EIEL05 20251
Division for Industrial Electrical Engineering and Automation
Abstract
Bricklaying is one of the most accident-prone professions in the construction
industry, with heavy and non-ergonomic lifting being a leading cause of sick leave
and back problems. Increased automation is expected to reduce the number of
work-related accidents while simultaneously improving productivity. Existing
solutions are often expensive and inflexible. This thesis investigates how a pick-
and-place routine, including depth camera data, can be integrated into a future
modular and automated construction system that aims to provide a more cost-
effective, automated solution by using off the shelf components.
Initially, methods for identifying and picking construction material within the
system are examined. To utilize the... (More)
Bricklaying is one of the most accident-prone professions in the construction
industry, with heavy and non-ergonomic lifting being a leading cause of sick leave
and back problems. Increased automation is expected to reduce the number of
work-related accidents while simultaneously improving productivity. Existing
solutions are often expensive and inflexible. This thesis investigates how a pick-
and-place routine, including depth camera data, can be integrated into a future
modular and automated construction system that aims to provide a more cost-
effective, automated solution by using off the shelf components.
Initially, methods for identifying and picking construction material within the
system are examined. To utilize the developed methods, a dedicated lifting tool
and camera housing are designed. A system enabling control and feedback of the
pick-and-place routine via an HMI is then developed. The resulting system is then
evaluated through a series of tests where the results are compared to an ideal
execution. The outcome of the work is a system that can be remotely operated,
with a localization method that, when combined with the picking method,
achieves a deviation of 2,86mm from the ideal placement.
Finally, suggestions for improving the stability and reliability of the system is
discussed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nilsson, Joen LU
supervisor
organization
course
EIEL05 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Bricklaying automation, construction automation, pick-and-place, computer vision, HMI, industrial automation.
publication/series
CODEN:LUTEDX/TEIE
report number
3149
language
Swedish
id
9221343
date added to LUP
2026-02-27 15:49:10
date last changed
2026-02-27 15:49:10
@misc{9221343,
  abstract     = {{Bricklaying is one of the most accident-prone professions in the construction
industry, with heavy and non-ergonomic lifting being a leading cause of sick leave
and back problems. Increased automation is expected to reduce the number of
work-related accidents while simultaneously improving productivity. Existing
solutions are often expensive and inflexible. This thesis investigates how a pick-
and-place routine, including depth camera data, can be integrated into a future
modular and automated construction system that aims to provide a more cost-
effective, automated solution by using off the shelf components.
Initially, methods for identifying and picking construction material within the
system are examined. To utilize the developed methods, a dedicated lifting tool
and camera housing are designed. A system enabling control and feedback of the
pick-and-place routine via an HMI is then developed. The resulting system is then
evaluated through a series of tests where the results are compared to an ideal
execution. The outcome of the work is a system that can be remotely operated,
with a localization method that, when combined with the picking method,
achieves a deviation of 2,86mm from the ideal placement.
Finally, suggestions for improving the stability and reliability of the system is
discussed.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Joen}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{CODEN:LUTEDX/TEIE}},
  title        = {{Investigation into a pick and place operation for onsite construction application}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}