The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) inaugurated its first Robotic Lab last Wednesday, marking a significant advancement in applied research at the intersection of design, technology, and community engagement, according to a statement issued by the private Catholic tertiary education institution yesterday.
Located at the Kent Wong Exhibition Gallery on the Ilha Verde Campus, the lab represents an eight-year strategic vision to build a comprehensive ecosystem combining institutional support, advanced facilities, and a focus on real-world challenges, the statement noted. It is part of the ARCH Centre for Applied Research in Architecture, Design and Art.
The facility is equipped with two KUKA robots, accessories for working with different materials, and a parametric storage system, valued at 1.5 million patacas, the statement said.
KUKA AG is a German manufacturer of industrial robots and factory automation systems.
Since 2020, USJ has been a member of the Association for Robots in Architecture (Rob|Arch), connecting it to a global network of about 100 universities and research institutions.
The statement noted that the lab’s projects bring together cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship and locally sourced materials. Researchers are creating new tools to work with materials from different regions, such as bamboo, wood, foam used for concrete moulds, and bricks, all sourced from places including Cambodia, the Philippines, Portugal, Thailand, Vietnam, the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.
According to the statement, visitors can also explore an exhibition featuring research that blends digital design, material experiments, and on-site fieldwork. Among the projects on show are studies of Macau’s urban development, AI research like Soundscape.AI, and innovative bamboo construction techniques. Collaborative efforts such as the Infolab and the Southern Inner Harbour Master Plan highlight successful cooperation between universities, businesses, and government bodies, the statement said.
Head of the Department of Architecture and Design Nuno Soares was quoted as saying: “From today onwards, this becomes a new platform for collaboration. Together, we will be able to research, test, and build sustainable solutions in design and architecture, with our students, our partners, the industry, the public administration, and the wider community.”
The Robotic Lab and the exhibition on applied research are open to the public until April 11.
This undated handout photo provided by the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) shows two KUKA robots at the USJ Robotic Lab at the Kent Wong Exhibition Gallery on the Ilha Verde Campus of the private Catholic university. The photo provided by the university was uncaptioned.
