đź‘Ź Welcome to the CHAT Lab!
Construction Human-centric Automation & Technology (CHAT) Lab is dedicated to autonomous technology applications on construction sites. We are interested in integrating human knowledge and prioritizing human-centric design for technology-empowered construction automation. We are particularly interested in the role of AI in this human-technology interaction (HTI) process. Currently, our research focus includes: (1) Human-Technology Interaction in the Construction Workplace; (2) Generative AI, Computing-Powered Construction Application; (3) Smart Contracts for Decentralized Construction Management.
Prospective Students
- The CHAT Lab is looking for one Ph.D. student starting in Fall 2026. Details about the position can be found here. Students who are already enrolled in UNC Charlotte, and anyone who is located in the U.S will be preferred!
- We also welcome visiting scholars and exchange students from around the world who are interested in construction technology and automation.
- If you are interested in collaboration, please contact Dr. Gongfan Chen.
News
- [2026.5] Shuai Shao join the CHAT lab as a Summer Graduate Researcher! Welcome, Shuai!
- [2026.5] Swapn Shah join the CHAT lab as a Summer Graduate Researcher! Welcome, Swapn!
- [2026.5] Shreem Dixit join the CHAT lab as a Summer Undergraduate Researcher! Welcome, Shreem!
- [2026.5] Ananya Patchigolla join the CHAT lab as a Summer Undergraduate Researcher! Welcome, Ananya!
- [2026.4] Saniya successfully completed the Spring 2026 OUR Research Program and presented her research poster at the Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) at UNC Charlotte. Great job, Saniya!
- [2026.4] Dr. Gongfan Chen started an affiliated position with the School of Data Science at UNC Charlotte.
- [2026.4] The CHAT Lab has received a seed grant from the School of Data Science at UNC Charlotte to support research on human–AI interaction in construction.
- [2026.3] Journal paper "Advancing Fit-for-Purpose Access to CII Best Practices Using Multimodal Large Language Models" has been accepted by the ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering.
- [2026.1] The conference paper titled "Enhancing the Worker–Robot Interaction for Construction Task Operation: A Preliminary Study Using Large Language Model-Based Methods" was published in the ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE) 2025, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, 2025.
- [2026.1] The conference paper titled "Leveraging Large Language Models for Voice-Activated Robotic Teleoperation in Construction" was published in the ASCE International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering (i3CE) 2025, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, 2025.