First tunnel built entirely by robots

Grant Prior 3 years ago
Share

A British technology company has revealed the world’s first entirely robot-constructed tunnel at its research facility in the North Hampshire Downs.

HyperTunnel’s new automated construction method is designed to build tunnels more than 10 times faster and at half the cost of conventional techniques

Using swarm construction methods according to a digital twin of the tunnel, a fleet of ‘hyperBot’ robots entered the ground via an arch of plastic pipes.

Once inside, the robots 3D-print the tunnel shell by deploying construction material directly into the ground.

The six metre-long, two metre-high and two metre-wide Peak XV ‘pedestrian-scale’ tunnel has been delivered as part of a project for Network Rail

David Castlo, Network Technical Head (Mining and Tunnels) at Network Rail, said: “Our large portfolio of Victorian tunnels requires increasing levels of work to meet the needs of the railway network.

“However, we want to reduce the level of disruption to our passengers so we are constantly searching for new approaches to enlarging or repairing tunnels that reduce the length of time a tunnel will be closed to trains. Peak XV moves us a step closer to that goal and, crucially, with a method that reduces workforce safety risk.”

Steve Jordan, co-CEO and co-Founder of hyperTunnel, said: “To unveil our first large scale demonstration tunnel is a big step, not only for hyperTunnel, but for the tunnelling and construction industries which are eagerly anticipating the readiness of our approach to use, as appropriate, in their global projects.

“While using robots exclusively to build underground structures is dramatically different, the contributing technologies, such as digital twins, robotics, 3D printing and digital underground surveying, supported by AI and VR, are all well-proven in other industries. In fact, the hyperTunnel in-situ method is all about de-risking construction projects.”

 

Latest news

Driver escapes injury as scaffold collapses onto van

Major three-lift scaffold fall blocks north London high street
3 days ago

Gilbert Ash to be sold to staff

£267m turnover contractor to transition to an Employee Ownership Trust
4 days ago

M Group seals biggest-ever deal with Telent takeover

Digital infrastructure specialist deal lifts turnover to £3bn
3 days ago

Aggregates firm Ashville went down owing more than £3m

Debts revealed in Companies House update
3 days ago

Cardo saves 100 jobs at Breyer roofing arm

Private equity-backed Welsh maintenance group continues to expand
4 days ago

Excavator knocked off lorry going under bridge

Traffic Commissioner inquiry after accident in south London
3 days ago

Czech energy tycoon buys UK’s biggest rebar supplier

Spanish offload Celsa UK operation to be rebranded 7 Steel UK
4 days ago

Caddick Construction targets £400m turnover

Regional shake-up pays off at contracting arm
5 days ago

Redrow chief steps down after Barratt merger

Matthew Pratt leaving after 22 years
5 days ago

United Living names new property services senior team

New CEO and COO appointed to lead growth in housing upkeep and retrofit
4 days ago

Wynne triples turnover in three years to over £90m

Five-year growth strategy pays off
4 days ago

Speedy Hire blames Budget for branch closures

National Insurance rises accelerate closure programme
4 days ago

Builder gets suspended sentence for Covid loan fraud

M&E specialist inflated turnover to claim maximum loan
4 days ago

Scores of M&E firms win places on £400m CHIC framework

Axis Europe and Seddon secured spots on social housing deal
5 days ago

Coroner hears how worker was crushed under digger

Inquest opens into tragedy at Rose Builders site
6 days ago

Billington lowers 2025 forecast amid pricing pressure

Tender prices under pressure due to project delays and cancellations
5 days ago

Willmott Dixon lands Dover town centre revamp

Alliance agreed to regenerate several key council sites
6 days ago

Go-ahead for London City office-to-flats scheme

Hub's 150 Minories job in Aldgate to create 280 co-living homes
6 days ago

Wates mobilises as £200m Middlesbrough scheme approved

Gresham Street scheme includes a hotel, 240 flats and over 400 student rooms
6 days ago

Crashed M&E contractor TNA owed supply chain £7m

Sister company buys assets including company vans
6 days ago

Renaker eyes bumper 2025 despite Gateway 2 concern

Strong construction pipeline to support another record year
6 days ago

Wessex Water picks civils firms for £65m framework

Over 40 smaller firms will support AMP8 civils spending programme
6 days ago

Green light for nearly 400 flats at Leeds scheme

Three blocks up to 18 storeys approved at Armley Road
6 days ago

Subcontractors wanted across South London

Work up for grabs from main contractors and clients: Register now for Constructionline event
6 days ago

Heavy lorry ban on Severn Bridge as cables deteriorate

Crossing "not designed and built for today’s levels or weight of traffic"
6 days ago

Muse submits Oldham town centre regeneration plan

Plan advances for six sites to deliver 2000 homes, an hotel and office space
1 week ago

Construction returns to growth after two tough months

Concern grows Trump turmoil is spooking property investors
1 week ago

Skanska wins £43m Clifton Bridge deal

Contractors says scheme is a "complex project that will be delivered to tight timescales"
1 week ago

Green light for 44-storey Manchester resi tower

Developer Glenbrook to start hunt for main contractor
1 week ago

Ten win £670m Network Rail eastern region small works deal

CK Rail, QTS, Colt and Construction Marine pick up two lots
1 week ago

Contractor services