US 2026/0085514 A1 · MODULAR MICROFACTORY SWARM FOR AUTARKIC URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

A modular micro-factory swarm for autonomous urban construction is disclosed. Each unit is a self-assembling robotic tile that (i) 3D-prints structural elements from locally characterized feedstock, (ii) powers itself via a dual renewable system (deployable photovoltaic array and hydrogen electrolysis/fuel-cell), and (iii) communicates over a mesh network for coordinated tasking. A cost-based planner assigns paths and jobs to minimize energy, time, and terrain risk. After each extrusion, the tile runs on-board structural checks (ultrasonic echo and vibrational resonance) and records pass/fail metrics. Build provenance is bound cryptographically: a hardware security module signs a build object identifier that hashes tile ID, task node, material signature, time, and location; signed records are committed to a distributed ledger. Actuation is gated by location-specific consent tokens verified against policy maps before printing proceeds. The architecture enables peer-to-peer orchestration, verifiable quality control, and closed-loop energy autonomy, reducing reliance on infrastructure and supervision.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A modular robotic tile, comprising:

(a) a multi-material extrusion mechanism configured to deposit locally characterized feedstock (identified by on-site spectral fingerprint or density profile) with closed-loop control of flow rate, temperature, and deposition pressure;
(b) an onboard dual-source energy subsystem including a photovoltaic array and a hydrogen electrolysis-fuel-cell module, the subsystem configured to switch sources based on measured irradiance and load demand;
(c) an authenticated mesh-network communication interface enabling peer-to-peer coordination with adjacent tiles;
and
(d) a control processor executing a symbolic task graph that governs printing, verifies structural integrity by ultrasonic echo and vibrational resonance analysis against a stored reference with pass/fail thresholds, and signs build records with a hardware-rooted cryptographic key before synchronization to a distributed ledger.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular microfactory swarm for autarkic urban infrastructure

Life of this patent

Modular microfactory swarm for autarkic urban infrastructure

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20