WALDACHTAL (dpa-AFX) - Digitalization does not stop at construction sites. Now the fastening specialist Fischer from Waldachtal (district of Freudenstadt) wants to send out construction robots that can drill and dowel fully automatically. In combination with a digital construction plan, the fastening robots called "Baubot" are to carry out work on large construction sites more efficiently and precisely than their flesh-and-blood colleagues - and in turn save them from physically stressful work. The development originates from a Viennese start-up in which the Fischer Group holds a majority stake.

Initially, the first three "construction bots," complete with personnel, will be in use for individual jobs, according to Matthias Schneider, managing director of digitalization at the Fischer Group. Other manufacturers such as Hilti and Kuka produce similar robots for work in the construction sector.

Fischer has also developed technologies to digitally control the stability of fasteners. These include anchor rods with integrated sensors that can be used, for example, in the support feet of roller coasters and scaffolding, and that send readings about the forces acting on them to a cloud. Experts could read out the data via an app and thus maintain control remotely, the company explained. Second, special washers would measure the so-called preload level of conventional bolted joints over a long period of time. This data could be easily read out using a smartphone and the appropriate app./kre/DP/stk