The UQ VisLab recently participated in ROB|ARCH 2026 at the Aarhus School of Architecture, Denmark, with Dr Qianbin Xu presenting research developed with Associate Professor Frederico Fialho Teixeira, Director of UQ VisLab, and Dr Maryam Shafiei. Hosted from 24 to 28 August, ROB|ARCH brought together international researchers working across robotics, architecture, art and design under the theme “Detangling Dependencies”.
The presentation focused on Timber system with robotic milling and AR-guided assembly for reconfiguration, recently published in Construction Robotics. The research establishes an integrated digital workflow connecting rule based computational design, robotic CNC milling and augmented reality guided assembly for reconfigurable timber construction.
The project demonstrates how traditional mortise and tenon principles can connect with contemporary robotic fabrication. A shared digital model translates design parameters and calibrated fabrication tolerances into robotic toolpaths and step by step AR instructions, enabling timber components to be assembled, disassembled and reconfigured without screws, nails or adhesives.
The research also connects directly with the VisLab’s work in immersive environments and human centred digital fabrication. Assembly trials combined Meta Quest 3 augmented reality guidance with the VisLab’s Igloo 360 immersive environment, allowing participants to coordinate detailed component placement with an overall view of the emerging structure.
The presentation at ROB|ARCH 2026 provided an opportunity to share this UQ research with the international architectural robotics community and contribute to wider discussions around material reuse, circular construction and emerging fabrication methods. UQ VisLab congratulates Qianbin Xu, Frederico Fialho Teixeira and Maryam Shafiei on presenting this collaborative research and advancing the relationship between computational design, robotic fabrication and reversible construction.
Hero image: Qianbin Xu presenting the UQ VisLab’s reconfigurable timber and robotic fabrication research at ROB|ARCH 2026, Aarhus School of Architecture, Denmark.
