University of Stuttgart
About
About University of Stuttgart
The University of Stuttgart is a German research university whose robotics work includes construction, manufacturing, autonomous systems and biomedical engineering. Its IntCDC cluster brings architecture, structural engineering, computer science and robotics into a shared design process: building components, assembly methods and machines are developed together, with digital planning linked to physical fabrication.
Two construction-research projects scheduled to begin in November 2026 extend this approach. SCALAR will combine retrofitted cranes for transport and rough positioning with mobile robots for precise timber-module assembly, coordinated through simulation and on-site control. COBRAS will investigate decentralised teams of identical mobile robots that assemble and disassemble reusable space-frame structures. These are three-year research programmes; their proposed autonomous construction systems are being developed and evaluated through university and industry collaborations.
Team
- Peter Middendorf - Rector - Represents the university and presides over the Rectorate, Extended Rectorate Board and other university governing bodies.
- Achim Menges - Director, Institute for Computational Design and Construction - Directs the ICD and serves as spokesperson for IntCDC, where design, engineering, robotics and computer science are developed together for construction research.
Timeline
Events
- 2026-10-06 - Award - University of Stuttgart secures about €8M for SCALAR and COBRAS robot projects
Each project receives approximately €4M, starts in November 2026 and is scheduled to run for three years. SCALAR combines retrofitted cranes and mobile robots for modular timber assembly, with AIT, Liebherr and Jekko participating. COBRAS develops coordinated mobile-robot swarms for assembly and disassembly of reusable space-frame structures, with EPFL and Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Source
Relations
Relationships
- Jekko
Technology Partner - Jekko participates in the University of Stuttgart-led SCALAR programme combining cranes and mobile robots for timber construction.
Context
Comparable profiles
- National Robotarium
stack adjacency - Research Institute
- X-Humanoid
stack adjacency - Research Institute
- Fraunhofer IAO
stack adjacency - Research Institute
Shared workflows
- Dataspeed
workflow adjacency - Robotics Research Development
Context tags
- Research institute - Stack Layer - University of Stuttgart ICD publishes robotic-fabrication methods and reusable FabFramework software; it is research infrastructure rather than a commercial robot OEM.
- Robotics research and development - Workflow - University of Stuttgart ICD publishes robotic-fabrication methods and reusable FabFramework software; it is research infrastructure rather than a commercial robot OEM.