China’s robot-built 3D-printed dam ready in 2 years: scientists

[onebyone]

China’s robot-built 3D-printed dam ready in 2 years: scientists​

• Artificial intelligence at the heart of the project on the Tibetan Plateau will build the structure slice by slice, with no human workers
• When completed the Yangqu hydropower plant will deliver nearly 5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year to Henan province

Chinese scientists say the Yangqu dam on the Tibetan plateau will be built using AI-controlled machinery applying 3D printing techniques. Photo: Weibo
China is using artificial intelligence to effectively turn a dam project on the Tibetan Plateau into the world’s largest 3D printer, according to scientists involved in the project.
The 180 metre (590 feet) high Yangqu hydropower plant will be built slice by slice – using unmanned excavators, trucks, bulldozers, pavers and rollers, all controlled by AI – in the same additive manufacturing process used in 3D printing.
When completed in 2024, the Yangqu dam will send nearly 5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year from the upper reaches of the Yellow River to Henan, the cradle of Chinese civilisation and home to 100 million people.

‘An army of robots’ and zero human workers will build a dam in China

Artificial intelligence at the heart of the project on the Tibetan plateau will build the structure slice by slice, with no human workers.

www.scmp.com