It\u2019s fast, safe, and cost-effective. Now, Europe\u2019s top offsite and prefab manufacturers are leading the way in using zero-labour robots to assemble floor and wall panels for low-rise and mid-rise timber housing in factories before delivering it \u201cflat pack\u201d on site, like IKEA furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Andrew Dunn, CEO of the Australian-based Timber Development Association, machine-trained robots could be an answer to Australia\u2019s tradie squeeze, which saw 27,000 or more tradies exit the industry last year, at a time when Australia has a shortfall of more than 115,000 workers just to meet the Albanese government’s housing targets.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is clear where the world is going in manufacturing, and the tour saw a glimpse of it,\u201d Dunn said. \u201cAmazingly, not a single Allen key was to be seen. But unlike most IKEA furniture kit-of-parts, apartments built at these factories come pre-assembled, probably a huge relief for purchasers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n