Roboceramic: Humans vs. Machines or Humans with Machines?

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The relationship between man and machine has long been a complex and nuanced one, especially for modern artisans. While machines are often seen as tools that can enhance productivity, the comparison between human hands and mechanical efficiency can be misleading. Machines, with their ability to perform tasks with precision and without fatigue, can overshadow the unique qualities that define human craftsmanship.

Unlike machines, humans are inherently imperfect, and it is this very imperfection that fosters creativity and self-expression. When a person repeats a task with their hands, they do so with a rhythm, guided by an awareness and an understanding that transcends mere mechanical repetition. This rhythm is not just a physical pattern, but a reflection of the unity between the mind, hand, and eye—a connection that machines cannot replicate. The act of making, with all its subtle variations and imperfections, is what imbues human work with meaning and value.

Roboceramic is a research and critique project that explores the use of machines in the construction sector. This project was conducted with students from the Advanced Digital Applications class at Universidad La Salle, Mexico City, in collaboration with Novaceramic, a local company with over 30 years of expertise in structural ceramic products for construction. For this project, the design team used the King model brick, measuring 24.45 x 6.03 x 6.67 cm, to construct a column. Half of the column was built by hand, highlighting the challenges of manual construction, while the other half was built robotically to explore and understand the possibilities of machine-based methods.

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Cite: Dinorah M. Schulte. "Roboceramic: Humans vs. Machines or Humans with Machines?" 15 Oct 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1022074/roboceramic-humans-vs-machines-or-humans-with-machines> ISSN 0719-8884

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