iTalent Innovations Series: Robotics in construction.(6 min read)

At iTalent we advise, follow and recruit for the construction industry here within the Middle East, not only in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but in Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. So if you are looking for exceptional talent to join your construction form, please reach out to us at the end of this article and we will be happy to help.

As part of our the iTalent series on innovations in construction technology, we take a closer look at the current status and future of robotics in the Middle East construction industry – as well as the challenges experienced in the implementation of robotics on large scale projects.

Areas of robotic development in construction

Research into the use of robots in construction is not a new trend by any means and research groups have been exploring the potential of robotic technology since the early 1960s. However, in the last couple of decades there has been a significant increase in research, investment, and real-world use of this type of automated construction technology.

Currently, there are five major areas to watch out for which are developing at a rapid pace:

Construction robotics in the pre-fabrication process.

Robotic arms and machines have been used for decades in factory production lines especially in car manufacture, and it is no surprise that the growing market for prefabricated homes is adopting this method of production technology.

Production robots on-site

This is the kind of application most people imagine when they think about robotics in construction. In recent years we have seen prototypes and tests with various construction robots such as Japanese firm Shmizu Corp’s Robo-Welder which can handle a variety of welding tasks or Hadrian X, a bricklaying robot.

Inspection robots in construction

Site inspection tasks can take a considerable amount of human capitol time and energy – to counter this a number of inspection robots are being developed which could help streamline the site inspection tasks. It is still early days for this technology, but Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot was recently trialled on a construction site to conduct surveys of a project.

Autonomous construction vehicles

From diggers to bulldozers, there are numerous building site vehicles which are primed for automation in construction. Firms like Built Robotics provide machinery to move earth and rubble without human intervention. That could eventually allow for building and site clearing work to be conducted 24/7, rather than being restricted to working hours.

Human Exoskeletons

Working on a construction site is physically demanding, and strain from lifting heavy weights is a common cause of building site injuries. And this is where exoskeletons could help. Exoskeletons are pieces of kit worn by construction site workers that provide robotic features. They can help wearers to lift heavier weights while reducing fatigue.

Some of the barriers to implementing robotics in construction

• The complexity of construction sites: Robots have been most successfully adopted in mass manufacturing lines, where they are held in place and perform the same tasks over and again. This is worlds apart from outdoor construction sites, with unpredictable weather and an end product (be that a road, building, bridge or anything else) that is unique. The complexity and judgement involved in building sites makes them very challenging places for robots.
• The technology must improve: As the examples above show, there is plenty of promising innovation around robots in construction. Nevertheless, none of these robots is yet widely used and there are few firms actively using robots on-site as part of their regular activities. The technology needs to progress significantly before it can expect widespread take-up.
• Costs: Investing in robotics involves high up-front costs including R&D. With many construction firms operating on thin margins, the investment is still judged too high by many. For now, at least, it is cheaper to hire and train humans than it is to invest in robots.
• Legal/health and safety issues: Building sites can be dangerous places, and so in many countries, health and safety legislation is a serious barrier to the use of robotics in construction. Understandably, insurers and lawyers are concerned about the risks of an unmanned, autonomous robot trundling around a busy building site.

Automation advantages of construction using robotics

While there are certainly obstacles to the use of robotics on construction, the potential benefits are worth considering. Advantages of automation include:

• Less waste: 3D printed and pre-fab construction robots mean you only use the specific amount of material needed for a project – which reduces waste, saves money and is good for the environment too.
• Respond to labour shortages: The shortage of skilled labourers is greater than ever – at the beginning of 2020 the UK was short of 200,000 construction workers. Robots could help fill this gap.
• Fewer injuries: Building sites can be dangerous places, so tools like exoskeletons or autonomous inspection robots could help in different ways to reduce risk to human beings.
• Faster work, lower costs: One of the great advantages of automation with robots is the potential for cost and time savings they introduce. Robots can work 24/7 without getting tired – this means that certain stages of projects could be completed significantly faster at a much lower expense than usual.

It is still early days for the use of robots in construction, yet the level of innovation happening in the field is very promising indeed. Today, the use of robotics in construction is still largely at the prototype and testing stage, yet in the coming years, we can expect more firms to begin using this technology as part of their daily business. Will your organisation be one of them?

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