ON-GOING RESEARCH

One Grain at a Time

Robotic Sand Depositor

Advanced Manufacturing Material Innovation Robotic Fabrication

One Grain at a Time is a research project exploring how off-the-shelf components and parametric control systems can be used to deposit and shape granular materials like sand. Designed for low-impact fabrication and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), the system proposes new pathways for sustainable, site-specific construction on Earth and beyond.

WHY?

Desert sand is globally abundant but rarely used in direct architectural fabrication. This project rethinks sand as a printable, structural medium—supporting local material use and scalable ISRU systems.

WHAT?

Robotic Sand Depositor is a proof-of-concept for robotic earth-based manufacturing using unbonded or semi-bonded sand. It serves as both a fabrication platform and speculative prototype for future planetary applications.

HOW?

The system uses a KUKA robotic arm equipped with a custom sand deposition tool, controlled by external electronics and parametric software to choreograph precise, programmable granular patterns.

WHERE?

Presented as part of Dubai Design Week 2021 at Dubai Design District (D3), where it was installed as an interactive exhibit titled One Grain at a Time.

WHEN?

Project is currently in development, but working prototype was built and tested during Dubai Design Week 2021.

WITH?

Developed in collaboration with the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation DIDI, and the In5 Design Incubator and prototyping lab, using a Kuka Robotic Arm.