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Shanghai is no stranger to the coveted feats of engineering.
In the latest example, the robot-moving historic buildings in Shanghai are attracting global attention. move Completea Shikumen-style building weighing about 7,500 metric tons (about 8,267 tons) covering about 43,400 square feet, does rewritten the rules.
The ambitious project is powered by an army of 432 small robots that move about 33 feet of huge structures a day, leaving roads for new underground developments. Let’s dig into how this happens, why it matters and what it means for the future City preservation.
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More than 400 small robots are moving the complex in Huayang. (Shanghai Government)
What makes Shanghai’s historical buildings so special by robots?
The Huayanli complex is three buildings built between the 1920s and 1930s. Located in the heart of Shanghai’s historic Zhangyuan region, these structures are classic examples of Shikumen architecture, a unique fusion of Western and Chinese design. Zhangyuan itself has a history of more than 140 years and is one of the largest and best-preserved Shikumen communities in Shanghai.
More than 430 small robots are moving Huayanli complex (Shanghai Government)
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Why are historical buildings in Shanghai moved by robots?
Relocation is not just for display. The city is building a three-story underground center under the complex that includes over 570,000 square feet of cultural and commercial space, a parking lot with more than 100 attractions and a transportation center that will connect three major metro lines. By retaining the historic Huayanli complex on the ground while adding modern infrastructure below, Shanghai is finding a wise balance between respecting its legacy and embracing progress.
More than 430 small robots are moving Huayanli complex (Shanghai Government)
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Challenge: narrow space and dense history
Moving a building of this size is hard enough, but the challenge is multiplied by Zhangyuan’s narrow alleys and dense network of historic buildings. The traditional relocation method is simply inappropriate. The historical significance of the area also means that any mistake could damage irreplaceable buildings, including the 1928 “Lobby”, which was once a patriotic night school.
More than 400 small robots are moving Huayanli complex (Shanghai Government)
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How 432 robots move a historic Shanghai building
Instead of using cranes or bulldozers, the engineers placed 432 small walking robots. The robots gently lift the building and then slowly move it forward, by inches, covering about 33 feet a day. To achieve this incredible accuracy, the project relies on several advanced technologies. The special low-clear drilling robot can be operated remotely, navigating in narrow corridors and doorways, creating new foundations under historical structures.
Mobile Earth Robot Equipped with folding robotic arms and less than 4 feet wide, AI is used to illustrate the difference between clay and solid obstacles. Engineers also use building information modeling and point cloud scanning to create highly detailed 3D blueprints. These digital models help teams plan precise movement routes, avoid potential collisions and design curved paths to remove soil.
To keep the construction site efficient and minimize damage, use a conveyor system for soil, just like assembly lines. This move is only temporary. Once the underground building is completed, the Huayanli complex will be carefully returned to its original location, completely restored and preserved, now sitting on a modern underground facility.
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More than 400 small robots are moving Huayanli complex (Shanghai Government)
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What is Zhangyuan’s next step?
After the project is completed, Zhangyuan blends the historic charm above it with state-of-the-art underground amenities. The area will connect to nearby high-rises, shopping malls and communities to create a vibrant and easy-to-use urban space that respects its past while embracing the future.
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More than 400 small robots are moving Huayanli complex (Shanghai Government)
Kurt’s key points
Not every day the entire historic building can travel through the city blocks, but the Huayanli project in Shanghai shows that with the right technology and some imagination, even the oldest neighborhoods can be part of tomorrow’s urban landscape. This combination of preservation and innovation gives people a sense of how cities develop without losing their souls. Who would have thought that robots could become the unsung hero of legacy?
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If robots can move entire historic communities in order to make room for modern development, how far should we go in reshaping our city and what parts of our past are really worth keeping? Let’s write to us cyberguy.com/contact
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