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Innovation & Research
Matrix
We collaborate closely with the Robotic Lab at the College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University to explore advanced digital fabrication methodologies, with a particular focus on robotic-assisted processes. Through this partnership, we investigate how emerging technologies are reshaping the relationships between design, material systems, and construction methods.
Kangyi Zheng
Kangyi Zheng, Director of the Robotic Lab, has led multiple successful initiatives that translate conceptual robotics research into practical, real-world applications. His work bridges academic research and industry practice, providing valuable insights that inform our design thinking and enable meaningful collaboration with forward-looking partners.
AI Driven Robotic Arm Painting
Zheng Kangyi has led a series of robotic-arm spray painting experiments that redefine industrial robots as tools for artistic creation. In research and teaching projects such as Art Form, robotic arms are employed for painting and writing, enabling data-driven creative processes. In this research, AI-generated creations are translated into executable data-based code instructions, which in turn drive robotic arms to complete spray-painted artworks. These practices explore technology-driven modes of artistic expression and expand the possibilities and boundaries of silicon-based life.
Robotics in Building Science & Construction Innovation
Beyond artistic research, Kangyi has successfully applied robotic painting technologies to building science and construction workflows. In studies involving robotic concrete and membrane spraying, robotic arms significantly reduce labor demands when forming double-curvature and highly customized surfaces.
This approach not only improves surface consistency and construction quality—especially in hard-to-access or complex geometries—but also delivers substantial time and cost saving
This approach not only improves surface consistency and construction quality—especially in hard-to-access or complex geometries—but also delivers substantial time and cost saving
