건설 작업원들을 편하게 해주는 리프팅 로봇 장비 VIDEO: This Material Lift Makes Objects up to 135 Pounds Virtually Weightless

VIDEO: This Material Lift Makes Objects up to 135 Pounds Virtually Weightless

March 26, 2019 Shane Hedmond

Fatigue on the jobsite is real, so much so that many technology companies have developed products to reduce fatigue and also sense when a worker is experiencing fatigue. There are other wearable devices, like exoskeletons, that can enhance a workers strength and stamina, but when you need to add more than a little punch, Construction Robotic’s MULE 135 may do the trick.

The MULE 135 via Construction Robotics

 

건설 작업원들을 편하게 해주는 리프팅 로봇 장비     건설현장에서 작업원들의 피로는 매우 현실적 사안이기 때문에 많은 회사들이 피로를 줄이고 피로를 느낄 때 감지할 수 있는 제품을 개발했다. 엑소켈레톤(외골격)과 같은 웨어러블 기기들이 있어서 작업자들의 힘과 체력을 향상시킬 수 있지만, 건설로보틱사의 MULE 135가 이 때 그 능력을 발휘한다. MULE 135는 CMU 블록처럼 무거운 물체(최대 60kg)를 사실상 무중력 상태로 만든다. 하루에 수십 kg의 재료를 들어올리지 않아도 되는 피로감 감소는 30-50%의 생산성 향상을 가져올 수 있다고 회사측은 말한다. 피로가 적으면 부상 위험이 낮아지고 품질이 향상될 수 있다. MULE가 작동하려면 120V, 20A 회로도 필요하다.  가격은 7만불  동영상 참조 황기철 콘페이퍼 에디터 큐레이터 Ki Cheol Hwang, conpaper editor, curator

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The MULE 135 makes heavy objects (up to 135 pounds), like CMU block, virtually weightless. The reduction of fatigue from not having to lift thousands of pounds of material a day, the company says, can produce between a 30% and 50% productivity savings. Less fatigue can also result in a lower risk for injury and increased quality. 

The maximum free standing height a MULE (Material Unit Lift Enhancer) can reach is 28 feet, with a maximum mast height of 41 feet and a maximum arm reach of 12 feet. The combination of the arm & powerpack, fork tubes, ground base, and MULE mast can push the total weight of each unit up to 2,335 pounds.

A 120V, 20A circuit is also required for the MULE to operate. 

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With the limitations on reach, it will be necessary on nearly all jobs to move the MULE to continue working on other sections of your structure.  If certain conditions are met, like travel grade being less than 8%, a maximum mast height of 22 feet, and system weight not exceeding 3500 pounds, then the MULE can be moved with a Lull by simply using the Fork Tubes at the top of the mast.  If needed, the unit can be partially disassembled to make then move easier.

I was recently able to catch up with the Construction Robotics team at World of Concrete, see video below. I was told each MULE costs in the $70,000 range, which is reasonable if the productivity savings mentioned above can be achieved. 

This type of human augmenting technology will be a huge factor in battling workforce shortages in the future. It can not only reduce the wear and tear on workers bodies, allowing them to work a longer career, but reduce the entry barrier for new talent looking to enter the workforce. 

For more information about the mule, you can check out the manual here. 

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