San Francisco-based startup Earthgrid is developing a plasma boring robot that is capable of digging tunnels 100 times faster, and up to 98 percent cheaper than existing boring systems, a report from New Atlas reveals.
The company plans to use its technology to rewire energy, internet, and utility grids in the U.S.
Unlike conventional boring machines, which typically use massive cutting wheels to slowly excavate tunnels, Earthgrid's robot blasts rocks with high temperatures to break and even vaporize them via a process called spallation.
The machine can run on electricity, meaning it can also be emissions-free, depending on how energy is sourced. Earthgrid also claims that its system, which doesn't need to come into contact with the rocks directly as it excavates, is so fast and cheap it will open up a whole host of possibilities.
In other words, projects that were once deemed economically unfeasible will now be possible.
This story is from the August 2022 edition of Construction Philosophy.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2022 edition of Construction Philosophy.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NEW PLASMA BORING ROBOT
Plasma Boring Robot can dig tunnels 100 times faster and 98% cheaper
Span Floors launches 'Serene Summer'
Span Floors, a leading brand of wooden flooring in India, has introduced a new collection of summer flooring called the Serene Summer.
ALSTONE ALCOMB
ALSTONE India Launches Futuristic and Revolutionary
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND ITS RELEVANCE IN DESIGN
With the complexity of designs that we witness worldwide today, a digital uprising is very critical.
Office leasing rose 3-fold across India in June 2022 quarter
A good 60% of the homebuyers in the country say that faced many challenges while acquiring property and as much as 40% of them also encountered issues after getting possession of their homes, according to a new survey.
Real Estate Crisis Goes Out of Control
Home sales in China have collapsed by nearly 60% compared to a year ago, and the current constant decline of sales (11 months) is pegged to be the worst in Chinese history.
Rate hike to further slow housing market
Fourth consecutive BoA is threatening rate increase by to drive up cost of borrowings and result in a sharp slump in the housing market.
Massive housing shortage across the U.S.
America has fallen 3.8 million homes short of meeting housing needs, which includes both rental housing and homes meant for ownership.
CASE Construction Equipment appoints Sunil Puri as MD, India & SAARC Operations
CASE Construction Equipment India Ltd, a brand of CNH Industrial has appointed Mr. Sunil Puri as Managing Director, India.
Anirban Gupta joins Colliers as MD, Kolkata
Leading diversified real estate professional services and investment management firm Colliers has appointed Anirban Gupta as the Managing Director of Kolkata to drive the organization's growth in East India.
