Robot Built House Replacement developed For Flood Victims by Florida "Think Tank"
With an increasing number of homes considered completely destroyed in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, a science study group has developed a way to replace them in 14 days using robotics packed into a portable factory. Called "Quikiehome Maker" it produces the shell for a complete 1500 sq.ft 3BR/2bath house using walls made robotically from a mixture of plastics and concrete on the foundation.
- Newark, NJ (1888PressRelease) December 03, 2012 - No pipe dream, two prototype models built in Texas easily handled hurricane force wind and water that flattened others. A report by a paid consultant to FEMA applauded the effectiveness of insulating characteristics and strengths. The family living in it reported heat and cooling savings of about 50%.
Unlike typical "stick built" construction (where wood or metal 2x4 uprights have sheetrock mounted on both sides around insulation) the "QH" walls are produced in a 53 foot "intermodal" (travels over road or on rail) platform that, according to the technical description, "links to a volumetric source of supply at the site using robotics to combine an aromatic copolymer core with steel supports and mesh covered with aggregate". The resulting sections are securely mounted to the foundation after the destroyed home is removed. Wall sections contain piping and wiring for connection to utilities.
Spiraling costs of replacement materials and labor coupled with recent details from insurance carriers suggesting vast increases in future premiums if rebuilding costs more than half the original value has encouraged use of the concept. A "Quikiehome" shell costs about $50,000 and the addition of wood flooring, carpet, paneling and other features which can be added by the homeowner or by local contractors makes it far less than other replacement.
There are also plenty of energy saving options which make it "greener" than conventional structures including LED lighting, solar panels, hydroponics built into a wall for growing vegetables, and reflective film. Exterior walls can be faced with veneers of brick, siding, or wood making the "Quikiehome" appear just like any other home.
Although residential and commercial construction using pre-made panels has been popular in Europe, South America, and elsewhere, the "QH" system produces a far more solid module due to the thickness and steel. Automated production at the site instead of costly shipping also makes the "QH" modules far less costly.
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