Robotics for project success

The Cartesius district will be built in Utrecht, the Netherlands from 2020 to 2030. The project includes around 3,000 new apartments, from social apartments to luxurious penthouses, as well as other facilities connected by a smart green space network. Using two fischer BauBot construction robots, approximately 4,800 holes could be drilled fully automatically into the ceiling of a residential building under construction, which made overhead installation much easier and significantly increased the efficiency and precision of the work.

With over 2,800 apartments, a large park, a school, a supermarket, restaurants and other facilities, Cartesius Utrecht is creating a city district that offers residents everything they need for a comfortable life. The project aims to create one of the healthiest, quietest and most cyclable neighbourhoods in the Netherlands. The focus is on sustainability, innovative energy solutions and shared mobility. Cartesius is a development of the Cartesius consortium MRP and Ballast Nedam Development - both leading Dutch real estate development companies with a strong presence in urban areas - in collaboration with the municipality of Utrecht and NS Stations, the city and landscape architecture office Mecanoo, EVA Architecten (Okinawa and Cartesius-Parking), Paul de Ruiter Architecten (Nicoya and Loma Linda), de Architekten Cie. (Baunei), project management in cooperation with Drees & Sommer Netherlands, as well as in implementation phase 2 Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling (het CAB, Okinawa and parking garage) and Ballast Nedam West (Nicoya).

Cartesius Utrecht property profile

Project scope:

Cartesius district with approx. 3,000 new apartments

Project period:

2020- 2030

Architects:

Mecanoo, EVA Architecten (Okinawa and Cartesius Parking), Paul de Ruiter Architecten (Nicoya and Loma Linda), de Architekten Cie. (Baunei)

Developer:

Cartesius Consortium MRP and Ballast Nedam Development, City of Utrecht

Use of construction bot:

Drilling of around 4,800 hammer-drilled holes with a diameter of 6 mm and a depth of 50 mm

Integrated project approach

The project approach began with planning by the structural engineer and involved all relevant partners: the customer, the contractor, the subcontractor and several logistics service providers. With its BauBot Services GmbH, founded in 2024, and the Dutch fischer subsidiary, fischer offered all robot deployment services from a single source. The services included support in creating the digital construction plan and professional supervision of the drilling work by an operator on site.

In addition, replacement robots, replacement end effectors and replacement operators ensured a seamless process throughout. Drill bits and consumables were also included in the offer.The Cartesius project impressively demonstrates how digital documentation during construction with the BauBots can further increase efficiency on the construction site: Process parameters for each individual step, including hole depths, reinforcement hits and other important information, were recorded precisely.

Innovative construction technology - use of BauBots

“Our BauBots made a decisive contribution to the success of the project,” emphasises Emil Kral, Managing Director of fischer BauBot Services GmbH. "They drilled around 4,800 hammer-drilled holes with a diameter of 6 mm and a depth of 50 mm into the concrete ceiling with the highest precision and speed. This significantly increased the efficiency and precision of the assembly work." In addition, the robots relieved the processors of physically strenuous, strenuous activities and reduced their risk of injury. The integrated dust extraction system ensured a clean, health-friendly working environment while also guaranteeing the approval-compliant installation of the mechanical anchors used. Emil Kral continues: "This is how our BauBots prove how fischer pioneer solutions hold their own in practice. The use of our construction robots perfectly matched the philosophy of our customer Fleurbaaij Totaal Afbouw, who consistently relies on modern technologies."

Successful product integration

Thanks to the close cooperation and exchange between all internal and external project participants, in addition to the BauBots, it was also possible to use the appropriate fischer fastening solutions for the planning and execution of the Cartesius structures. The FAZ II Plus bolt anchor, the UltraCut FBS II concrete screw, the SensorDisc sensor-integrated washer and over 5,000 m of the FLS 30 mounting rail from the fischer Light Rail System (FLS) have already been used - and the fastening expert continues to accompany its partners until the successful completion of the project.

Our integral project approach contributed significantly to our successful use of BauBots at the new Cartesius building in Utrecht. From the outset, various actors were involved to leverage synergies and maximise project success.

Jan Popma , Technical Manager fischer Benelux countries

Suspended ceiling fixing solution

A tailor-made solution was developed for fastening the suspended ceiling of the residential building, combining FLS 30 mounting rails, M10 threaded rods and FBS II 6 concrete screws from the fastening expert. All details for the overhead installation of the system have been agreed with the contractor and the subcontractor. A grid of 600 mm x 600 mm holes was drilled to allow exact installation. After the BauBots quickly and precisely drilled the holes according to the BIM model, installing the suspended ceiling with the fischer fastening and installation systems was an easy step. The close cooperation between the parties involved enabled the processes to be carried out smoothly and efficiently.

Successfully overcome installation challenges

"Although the direction of travel of the BauBots was severely restricted, there was also a complex structural geometry and it was necessary to ensure safe load distribution. But our BauBots did an excellent job," says Emil Kral. The drilling work took place at a height of about 20 m on a scaffolding. The robots were equipped with FMS rails (fischer massive rail system) for load distribution, which were attached to each support. In addition, the BauBots only moved on specially designed load distribution plates. The drilling work can be carried out without problems - even with the low room height of 3.2 m and the complex structure geometry with numerous cross members, which limited the effective working height to 2.7 m.

Digital competence meets construction practice

fischer’s integrated project approach, which brought together the expertise of different disciplines and partners, contributed significantly to the successful use of the BauBots in the Cartesius project. Thanks to the close cooperation of all project participants, the fischer construction robots were able to fully exploit their advantages: higher productivity, maximum precision, better working conditions and increased safety. The fastening expert is once again proving how well his pioneering solutions have proven themselves in practice.