Catherine Caputo, a Construction Engineering and Management student at Virginia Tech, began her 2024 summer with an opportunity that took her across the pond — Lille, France.

As an undergraduate research assistant, Caputo collaborated with Ashtarout Ammar and Ashley Johnson on research focused on bringing robots, focused on a single task, into construction layout methods. Using data metrics, she tracked how these robots work alongside their human counterparts. After publishing the paper, Assessment of Traditional and Robotic Approaches to Interior Construction Layout: A Framework and Comparative Study, she was invited to speak as part of the 41st International Symposium for Automation and Robotics in Construction.

The Myers-Lawson School of Construction, thanks to Giving Day funding, supported her travel to speak at the symposium where she highlighted the work happening within the school at a global level and networked with other researchers, students, and industry leaders. Along with her peers, Caputo explored the current challenges, innovative solutions, and future potential of robotics in construction.

“I never pictured myself doing research, but I’m thankful for the opportunity because I was able to see its fundamental role in shaping our industry’s future for the better,” said Caputo of her experience.

Caputo will continue her research with Ammar as she finishes her senior year.