Moving house taken to new level after 432 tiny robots pick up apartment block

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Have you ever looked out your window and wished your view was a few inches to the left or right?

Generally there’s not much that can be done to move a building once it’s been constructed, save demolishing and rebuilding the entire thing.

But in China engineers have been able to literally pick up a building and move it – thanks to hundreds of tiny robots.

The Huayanli complex, located in the Jing’an District of Shanghai, was built in the 1920s and 30s.

Authorities want to build a large three-storey underground structure beneath the complex – but due to its narrow alleyways and dense layout, access was difficult.

To make things easier, the 13,222sq ft building was reinforced and hoisted onto a steel frame before being placed on top of a fleet of 432 robots.

Hundreds of tiny ROBOTS move 7,400 tonne building complex Hundreds of tiny, self-walking robots are moving a 7,400 tonne building complex. The relocation has been described as one of the largest and most complex neighbourhood transfers to date. A total of 432 hydraulic-powered robots are being used to walk the gigantic structure 10 meters a day. In a sped up video of the project, posted on Tuesday (10 June), the complex can be seen shifting in different directions, as reported by NeedToKnow. The minute robots, which are sat underneath the structure, are capable of navigating corridors less than 1.2 meters wide. They have been programmed to distinguish between clay and solid obstacles which prevents damage during excavation. Once the area beneath the buildings was cleared and reinforced, the entire complex was hoisted onto a steel frame and placed on top of the fleet of walking robots. Built in the 1920s and 1930s, the complex?s narrow alleys and tightly packed layout made traditional relocation machinery not particularly useful. For this reason, engineers turned to cutting-edge technology and decided to use a blend of 3D modeling, deep-learning AI, and precision robotics. Each robot is remote-controlled, and designed specifically for this type of work. In total, the Huayanli complex, located in the Zhangyuan, an area in the Jing'an District of Shanghai, measured 13,222 square-foot. The project, which began on 19 May, is part of a large development plan to construct a three-story underground structure beneath the site. Eventually, the building will be returned to its original location once underground construction is complete. The finished underground space will include cultural venues, commercial zones, and over 100 new parking spots. It will also be integrated into Shanghai?s subway lines 2, 12, and 13. ENDS EDITOR'S NOTE: Video Usage Licence:(PROFESSIONAL PARTNER) We have obtained this material from a professional partner for use by our news media clients (company press release / other media agency). Video Restrictions: None.

The complex was placed on a frame before being moved (Picture: Jam Press)

The robots, which are powered using hydraulics, can move the apartment building up to 32ft (10m) every day.

Incredible sped-up footage shows the massive building shifting in different directions.

Thanks to a combination of 3D modelling, deep-learning AI and precision robotics, the robots can distinguish between clay and obstacles, preventing damage during excavation.

The new underground structure will feature cultural venues, commercial zones, and more than 100 new parking spaces, as well as being integrated into three of Shanghai’s subway lines.