Call for Workshop Proposals

Timeline

Call announced – May 3, 2023
Proposals due – Call closed August 29, 2023
Notification – October 6, 2023
Workshops – May 21-23, 2024

HIGHLIGHTS FROM ROB|ARCH 2018 WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOP CALL (now closed for review)

ROB|ARCH 2024 seeks proposals for 3-day intensive workshops that explore the use of robots in art, design, architecture, and construction. These workshops should provide participants hands-on experience using robotic tools and equipment to create innovative and engaging works. The workshop results will be part of an exhibition(s) curated by the ROB|ARCH 2024 host team.

Image from ROB|ARCH 2018 workshop: Chainsawed Wood Joinery - led by Achilleas Xydis (ETH Zurich, Researcher), Florian Fend (TU Graz, Researcher), Yuko Ishizu (Takenaka Corporation, Researcher)

Workshops should be designed to accommodate a range of skill levels and to be accessible to participants from various backgrounds, including artists, designers, architects, students, creative technologists, and hobbyists. The intent is both to provide a forum for discussion and collaboration, and to encourage participants to explore new and innovative ways of using robotic tools in their creative practice. We welcome proposals from individuals, collectives, or industry, and encourage collaborations between disciplines/fields.

Workshops will have an initial budget of $2,500 CAD to cover expenses. Applicants are encouraged to seek further funding and partnerships to enable their work, and companies or institutions supporting workshops will be listed as workshop sponsors on conference marketing materials (letters of support can be provided by the organizers for accepted proposals). Up to two conference registration fees per workshop are included for instructors.

The organizers are mindful that this budget may be insufficient for those travelling great distances or applying without the support of institutions. Further funding may be available to groups with exceptional proposals, so applicants are encouraged to outline the need for increased budget in applying.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Deadline for submission: Call closed August 29, 2023 – 11:59 PM EDT

Proposals should provide the following:

Workshop Title
Workshop Team
Names, institutions, titles, emails. Please include CV(s) at the end of the PDF proposal.
Workshop Description
Max 500 words, a non-scientific description that clearly outlines the topic and output of the workshop.
Workshop Schedule
Overview of the three-day schedule + daily structure.
Workshop Participants
List any special requirements for the workshop (e.g., PC, Rhino 7, knowledge of KukaPRC, etc.). The workshop should be accessible to participants of all levels. Plan for 15 participants in each workshop.
List of Equipment/Special Requirements
Please specify which robot is preferred or if you’ll be bringing a custom robot, end-of-arm tooling (provided by the workshop team or from the list below of available robots/tooling at host institutions), power/air requirements for EOAT, space requirements, software, etc.
Workshop Materials
Please specify the materials and approximate cost.
Supporting Images
Provide proof of concept, process, and final images related to the proposed workshop. Combine these into a single-page PDF. If accepted, we will request high-resolution images.
Proposed Budget
Detail all workshop expenses, indicate how the honorarium will be used, anticipated sponsorship/in-kind support, and how funds will be secured.

*If accepted, workshop details, statements, and high-resolution images, submitted with the proposal and captured during the workshops, will be used in marketing materials and published online.

WORKSHOP SELECTION

ROB|ARCH 2024 will see a diverse collection of workshops run together over three days. These workshops will demonstrate and engage participants in emerging methods of practice with technology in relation to social, political and environmental changes, challenges, and emergencies.

In reviewing the workshop proposals received, the Workshop Leads will give particular consideration to applications that demonstrate:

Sustainable material practices
Proposal feasibility
Contemporary relevance
Participant learning opportunities
Projects led by or supporting equity-seeking groups and communities
Outward reach and impact on diverse creative fields (i.e. fashion, art, graphics)

AVAILABLE ROBOTS + TOOLING

Workshops can propose using any robot, from industrial arms, collaborative arms, drones, or custom robots. The hosts will try to match your workshop with the appropriate robot. Please note:

(1) Additional machinery and/or robots may be acquired from our robot sponsors based on availability and exceptional workshop ideas.

(2) As well as the equipment listed below, both sites have fully equipped wood and metal facilities (including welding) that will be available to all accepted workshops.

Design + Technology Lab at The Creative School
Toronto Metropolitan University

KR150 - r2500 on a 4-meter linear rail + 8th axis turntable. Available end-of-arm tooling:

Hotwire bows (24” + 48”) w/ industrial power supply
10hp spindle
ExOn 8 pellet extruder (heavily modified)
Schunk grippers

KR10 - r1100 Agilus (x2) - both on an aluminum extrusion table

Schunk gripper
Pen attachment
Industrial 12” + 24” hot knife
Vacuum pad

UR10e on a 4-meter Vention linear rail. Available end-of-arm tooling:

Robotiq 2F-85 gripper
Robotiq AirPick vacuum gripper w/ up to 4 air nodes
Custom Dyze Typhoon 2.85 filament extruder w/ 1.2 + 2.5 nozzles

CNC & Specialty Equipment

multiCAM CNC
RICOH Large Format Flatbed Printer
Stoll Knitting Machine
Shaper Origin
Tormach Metal Mill
Tracker Plasma Cutter
Wazer Water Jet Cutter
Voltera Printer
Vinyl Cutter

3D Printers

Mosaic Array
Formlabs - Fuse 1
Formlabs Form 2
Formlabs Form 3
SLS Print Cleaning Station
Markforged Mark Two
(25x) desktop FDM printers
3Devo Shred it Plastic Recycler
Industrial Pellet Dryer
Ultrasonic Cleaner

Laser Cutters

Trotec SP2000
Trotec SP500
Epilog Fusion M2

AR, VR, and XR Equipment

Occulus Quest 2
(x2) Occulus Go
Peel 3D Academia 50 3D scanner
Rokoko Smartsuit Pro + Mocap studio
Epson Pro 3LCD Laser Projector

Drones

(x2) DJI Maverick Mini
DJI FPV Drone

Other Equipment

Euclid Kiln
Pug Mill

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design
University of Toronto

KR150 R2700 extra on a 4-meter linear rail. Available end-of-arm tooling:

20HP Milling spindle w 10 tool ATC and tool measuring system
Schunk Pneumatic Gripper
Schmalz vacuum gripper
Wasp XL clay extruder with (2x) 5L tanks
Blank Schunk ATC Manual Attachment for custom end effector attachment
Linear actuated table saw

(x2) UR10e mounted on linear aluminum extrusion mobile carts. Available end-of-arm tooling:

(x2) Robotiq 2F-85 grippers w gripper finger swap to 2F-140 fingers
Robotiq AirPick vacuum gripper