hyperTunnel, a British technology company innovating underground construction, and the University of Birmingham have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to progress completely new methods of underground construction, enlargement, monitoring and repair.

New automated construction methods being developed by hyperTunnel are designed to benefit the construction sector and society as a whole by reducing carbon footprint and building tunnels faster and at a lower cost vs. conventional methods.

At the heart of the concept is the use of robots to 3D-print the shell of the underground structure, according to a digital twin. Using this method, the construction material is deployed directly into the ground.

Initially focusing on autonomous tunneling technologies, imaging and digital simulations, the partnership between the two organizations is likely to include activities such as collaborative research, technology projects, joint publications, secondments, internships and education programs.