DISCOVER: A comprehensive solution based on AI and robotics to boost circularity in the construction sector

The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) coordinates the Digital, autonomous, Intelligent and Synchronous system for Continuous identification, Optimization and Value Extraction of Resources from the end-of-use built environment (DISCOVER) project, which involves a multidisciplinary team formed by the Center for Industrial Equipment Design (CDEI), the Geophysics and Earthquake Engineering (GiES) research group, and the Structural and Materials Technology  (ATEM) research group. The project will provide data-driven insights, to key stakeholders, including academic performers, and, along with construction industry representatives to make deconstruction more efficient, optimize the use of resources, improve the environmental footprints and enhance the circularity of construction and demolition. This will unlock the potential of end-of-life built works, which will become material banks.

The expected outcomes of DISCOVER include an autonomous robotic platform coupled with continuous identification tools to scan built works and provide synchronous quantitative and qualitative data from different materials. Artificial intelligence algorithms will allow a rapid analysis of the properties and characteristics of components and will feed into the automated scan-to-BIM model creation. The multidimensional BIM, including selective demolition processes, labour productivity, and technical planning, will become a Digital Twin of the demolition site optimized by social, economic, and environmental multi-criteria assessments. This approach will highly contribute to significant increase in the supply of traceable and sustainable construction materials and products for enhancing their wider market acceptance, following the waste hierarchy.

The ambitions of the project are: 

• Developing rapid and autonomous on-site material identification methods
• Advancing robotics in pre-demolition inspection and identification
• Unlocking the potential of AI and BIM-based tools for sustainable deconstruction
• Transforming demolition practices through decision-making tools for optimal resource recovery
• Pioneering circular economy in construction by bridging multi-LCA/LCC, demolition digitalization, and traceability of recovered products
• Integrating deconstruction and construction: increasing direct material reuse in construction

DISCOVER will impact various perspectives:

• Economic - Enhancing efficiency, cost savings, and reduced labour in construction and demolition.
• Environmental - Reducing Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW), lowering landfill rates, and decreasing CO2 emissions related to waste management and construction materials. 
• Social -  Influencing policymakers to create evidence-based regulations for sustainable construction and waste management. 
• Scientific - Accelerating research in sustainable construction and waste management. 

DISCOVER Consortium and budget

The project is funded by the European Union (Horizon Europe) with a total budget of €5,997,208.50. It began in June 2024 and will span four years. The DISCOVER consortium, which includes CIT UPC, comprises 14 partners (a balanced mix of SMEs, large companies, academia, research institutions, and associations) from eight EU countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain).