What is construction robotics? Its Uses and Applications in Construction Industry

Last Updated on October 14, 2024 by Admin

Construction robotics is a technology that has been around for decades but has only recently seen a boom in its popularity. This piece breaks down the different uses and applications of construction robots in the construction industry.

Construction is still one of the most labor-intensive businesses in the world. It entails several repetitive and time-consuming procedures that can be completed more quickly with robotics and automation. Construction robots also decrease human error and fatigue-related losses.

Collaborative robots, for example, can precisely automate bricklaying, welding, rebar tying, painting, and other monotonous jobs. Robotics solutions can also automate heavy equipment and fleets for excavation, transportation, load lifting, concrete work, and demolition.

This improves the safety of construction workers while also cutting down on operational time. Construction automation with robots boosts total project efficiency, lowers labor costs, and ensures safety for dangerous operations.

A few startups are developing rebar tying robots to automate rebar installation. The startup’s TyBot and IronBot systems execute repetitive and backbreaking rebar installation jobs using artificial intelligence and computer vision.

By auto-locating, auto-positioning, and tying up to 110 rebar junctions every hour, TyBot removes the need for manual mapping and calibration. By inserting 5,000-pound bundles of both transverse and longitudinal rebar, IronBot alleviates heavy lifting load.

As a result, it saves time on the schedule and decreases the danger of injuries by eliminating the need for pre-mapping, programming, and calibration. The company’s solutions help workers be more productive while keeping them safe.

What is Robotics in the Construction Industry?

Robotics in the Construction Industry by Digitslick

Construction was one of the least digital and mechanized sectors until recently. Many projects could be finished more quickly with the help of construction robotics, owing to the very repetitive nature of the tasks.

The following examples can help us to understand how robotics is transforming construction.

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Wall Building by Robotics in Construction

Robots control the automatic loading, cutting, routing, and placement of bricks, and they use CAD to finish the entire bricklaying process. Steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber composites are used to construct it.

Autonomous equipment without an operator

Built Robotics executives like to boast that their autonomous system for construction equipment, such as dozers and excavators, is ahead of many autonomous automobiles.

Imaging Technology Employed by Smart Robots

Robotic automation has a lot of potential to improve worker safety, productivity, efficiency, and production flexibility in the construction industry.

Remotely Operation by Construction Robotics

Thanks to Construction Robotics, work can be done wherever it is safest. A remote-controlled excavator or bulldozer allows an operator to work from a steady location with the best visibility, ensuring the operator’s safety and others on the job site.

Conducting inspection, surveillance, and surveying on project sites.

Many assessments necessitate an examination of the workplace and surrounding region before, during, and after a construction project. To supervise personnel and secure the location, limited surveillance is also required. All of these procedures can be aided by construction robotics and drones.

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Construction Robotics Market – Snapshot

Here are the latest figures and trends in the construction robotics market, as reported by various sources:

• The market size is projected to grow from USD 331.70 million in 2023 to USD 681.80 million by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.50%. This growth is attributed to factors such as increasing urbanization, industrialization, and advancements in construction and demolition operations​​.

• The global construction robots market was valued at USD 1,028.6 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 17.5% from 2023 to 2030​​.

• The market size was USD 2,450.7 million in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 7,880.3 million by 2027, with a CAGR of 23.3% from 2020 to 2027​.

• In 2022, the global construction robots market size reached USD 129.7 billion, and it is forecasted to grow to USD 316.0 billion by 2028, demonstrating a CAGR of 16.4% during the period from 2023 to 2028​​.

• The market size for construction robots was USD 0.69 billion in 2022, and it is anticipated to reach about USD 2.59 billion by 2030​.

These figures indicate a robust and rapidly growing market for construction robotics, underlining the industry’s potential and the increasing adoption of automation in construction processes.

Trending 7 ways Robotics which will transform the construction industry

These are the various aspects of construction that are being touched by robotic technology and its current impact on the industry, and what to expect in the future.

Automated Technology

One of the applications of robotics engineering is to increase the automation of numerous processes. Automation is becoming the objective in many parts of construction, particularly manufacturing, packing, and construction. Construction organizations are becoming more open to embracing technology like robotics and machinery advances.

Traditional construction processes such as welding, material handling, packing, dispensing, cutting, and packing may be entirely automated with robotic technology. This will allow for greater precision and accuracy throughout all construction operations, saving time and money.

Altered Workforce

As per a World Economic Forum report, around 5 million employments will be lost by 2020. According to the report, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, 3D printing, and robotics are all expected to have a significant impact on the construction industry, accounting for 10% of overall employment losses.

According to the World Economic Forum, these technologies will be gradually integrated, replacing individual functions rather than entire jobs. On the other hand, machines can take over certain portions of a job, allowing organizations to employ fewer people responsible for a variety of tasks.

As automated procedures become more prevalent, construction workers’ fundamental skill sets will appear significantly different in a few years.

Even though it appears that the robotic revolution will severely impact the construction industry, the World Economic Forum estimates that over 400,000 employments in architecture and engineering will be required.

Lean Construction Practices

Lean construction is one of the most significant and influential movements in the building industry. This modern concept emphasizes waste minimization to increase efficiency and output.

Traditional construction methods generate an excessive quantity of waste, which is harmful to the environment and harms profitability. Because of its capacity to ensure accuracy and precision, robotic technology, on the other hand, can assist reduce the amount of waste produced.

Many firms may find investing in modern technology, such as 3D printers, daunting. Reduced waste and standardized materials, on the other hand, will have a favorable impact on profitability in the long run.

Higher Quality

Manufacturing parts and materials will be considerably more consistent and of higher quality now that most robotic systems are fully automated. These devices can take advantage of speed, efficiency, and repeatability to ensure improved overall quality by eliminating human mistakes and inconsistency.

3D Printing

In the construction business, 3D printing is becoming more widely used. Complex, layered parts and things can now be printed for use in the construction of homes, buildings, bridges, and highways.

Robotic machines can also standardize the manufacture of items that can be reused across multiple projects, saving time and money.

Demolition

Demolition was one of the first applications of robotics in construction. Given the current number of construction projects, speeding up the demolition process can save time and money.

Many building operations begin with demolishing walls, crushing concrete, and collecting all debris, and robotics are making these procedures much more efficient.

Brick Laying

Although it is commonly assumed that robots are solely used in modern procedures, this is not the case. Machines have been designed to make processes like bricklaying more efficient. Robotics in bricklaying should be seriously considered, even though the residential building has been hesitant to absorb technology and change.

It’s a relatively straightforward operation in which construction workers input bricks into a machine, then laid up properly and precisely using CAD software. Some of the most modern brick-laying machines can finish a house in days.

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Types of Construction Robots

A few different types of construction robots are ready to make a big splash in the building industry. The first is a 3D-printing robot that can quickly construct massive structures. A movable robotic arm controls a 3D printer, and this technology 3D produces a whole structurally sound building using preprogrammed instructions.

This technology is also being utilized to build bridges, with the Netherlands recently completing the first-ever 3D printed bridge. This combination of 3D printing with industrial robots is one of the construction industry’s most promising automation technologies.

Other robots lay bricks and masonry and robots that lay a whole street at once. Construction work is greatly accelerated and improved with the use of these robots.

Demolition robots are another sort of construction robot that is on the verge of becoming widespread. When it comes to dismantling concrete and structural components of a building towards the end of its existence, they’re far safer and cheaper than demolition personnel.

Other types of construction robots exist, such as remote-controlled or autonomous vehicles. Still, the ones mentioned above are the most suited to work on a present construction site and may have the most significant influence.

Construction robots will significantly impact the construction industry, which is a predominantly unautomated business. Demand for construction robots will constantly increase as construction organizations attempt to automate more and more operations for efficiency and production.

A construction site robot represents a groundbreaking advance in the realm of architectural engineering and labor. These autonomous or semi-autonomous machines are equipped with specialized hardware and software that enable them to perform a variety of tasks traditionally carried out by human workers.

From precision bricklaying to agile rebar tying, and from intricate surveying to heavy material handling, these robots significantly increase efficiency and accuracy on construction sites. They are typically designed to operate in dynamic and unpredictable environments, utilizing sensors and AI algorithms to navigate and adapt to changing conditions.

By taking on repetitive, physically strenuous, or hazardous tasks, construction site robots not only help to mitigate the risk of injury but also address skilled labor shortages, propelling the construction industry towards a safer, faster, and more cost-effective future.

Advantages of Robotics in the Construction Industry

The use of automation and robotics in the construction industry has several benefits that could aid in the adoption of these systems. Among the most significant benefits are:

• Less reliance on direct labor – fewer problems related to quality and repetitiveness of work performed, as well as costs, may be reduced by reducing labor, whereas the automated system requires fewer operators;
• Productivity increase – in addition to increasing the speed of production, productivity is improved by disengaging the operation from the limitations of the human factor;
• Increased occupational safety – automated systems may carry out their work safer.
• Increased quality – operations with automated and robotized systems are typically carried out with less variability than human workers;
• Greater control over the productive process – problems can be detected more efficiently because each stage of the process is controlled to verify the correct functioning of the system and the result of each one;
• Greater control over the final result of the process – the final result can be controlled more efficiently.

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Application of Robotics in Construction Industry

Robotics in the construction industry are being applied in numerous innovative ways to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Here are some of the key applications:

• Automated Bricklaying and Masonry: Robots like SAM (Semi-Automated Mason) can lay bricks with high precision, increasing the speed of construction and reducing the physical burden on human workers.

• Concrete Pouring and Finishing: Automated machines can pour concrete and then level and finish surfaces, tasks that are labor-intensive and time-consuming when done manually.

• Rebar Tying: Robotics can quickly and reliably handle the repetitive task of tying rebar, increasing productivity and reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

• 3D Printing of Building Components: Large-scale 3D printers can create complex building components and even entire structures, offering new possibilities in design and material efficiency.

• Demolition: Robots equipped with hydraulic breakers or crushers can perform demolition tasks with more precision and less risk to human operators.

• Surveying and Inspection: Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with cameras and sensors can survey sites and inspect structures from above, providing valuable data without the need for manual access.

• Material Handling and Logistics: Autonomous vehicles and robots can transport materials across construction sites, improving logistics efficiency.

• Welding and Fabrication: Robotic arms can perform welding and other fabrication tasks with high consistency, reducing errors and exposure to hazardous conditions.

• Road Construction: Automation in paving, grading, and road painting increases the consistency of the work and allows for faster completion of road construction projects.

• Prefabrication: Robotics are used in off-site construction to prefabricate elements of buildings, which are then transported to the construction site, allowing for quicker assembly.

• Installation Work: Robots are being developed to assist or take over tasks such as the installation of drywall, electrical boards, or tiling.

The application of robotics in construction represents a significant technological shift, promising to reshape the future of the industry by improving the way we design, build, and maintain our built environment.

Disadvantages of Robotics in Construction

Restraining factors for the implementation of Robotics on Construction sites

The barriers to the implementation of automation and robotics in construction sites can be classified into the following categories: economic and cost, construction industry structure and organization, features of construction products and work processes (primarily uniqueness and complexity), technology (the nature of the construction work processes itself), and culture and the human factor.

These categories can be primarily represented by:

• Huge investments are required to incorporate the technologies;
• The work environment is not static; construction sites are too dynamic and unstructured for robots; construction methods may be too complex for robots. There is a need for more mobile robots for the transport and lifting of heavy components.
• There are frequent changes or advancements in automated technologies, and users struggle to keep up with the changes.
• Construction sites are typically unique and do not present the same set of problems; construction is a diverse industry that must deal with a nearly unique set of circumstances on each project and site.
• Temporary works and significant weather impact, etc.

A robot construction worker represents a transformative leap in building technology, embodying the fusion of robotics, artificial intelligence, and construction expertise. These mechanical laborers can tirelessly perform tasks ranging from bricklaying to rebar tying, operating with precision and efficiency that enhances productivity and safety on the jobsite.

They’re designed to handle the repetitive, physically demanding, or dangerous aspects of construction work, thus reducing human risk and filling labor gaps. As they evolve, these robots promise to reshape the construction landscape, potentially altering timelines, costs, and the very nature of human labor in the industry.

Most Prominent Construction Robot Companies 2023

several leading companies in the field of construction robotics, which are innovating with various automation technologies. Here are some of the companies and their websites where available:

Future trends of Robotics in construction work

The practice of utilizing might be not that famous in the current situation, but in the future, it will be trending in the construction industry:

• The scale of automation and robotics technologies available for use in the on-site construction process will significantly increase. They will be much easier to install and operate on the sites.
• Automation and robotics systems will be more widely available throughout the United States.
• In the next ten years, construction companies adopting automation and robotics will considerably increase.
• Companies will function more efficiently and competitively in the sector by utilizing automation and robotics technologies.
• There will be a higher understanding of automation and robotics technologies within the construction business.
• Automation and robotics technologies will be more inexpensive in terms of purchase, maintenance, and updating (also for small construction subjects)
• Workers and managers or owners of businesses will readily adopt automation and robotics technologies.

Conclusion

It can be inferred that automation and robotics are not widely used in on-site buildings. Compared to on-site operations, it is envisaged that automation will be used more in design and scheduling or other planning.

On-site technologies are unlikely to be mentioned in technology development and enhanced range of usage and flexibility. However, the development of modular building designs that fully utilize off-site prefabrication, transport, and site assembly could be relevant to on-site construction.

Robotics has the potential to deliver various benefits in the construction business; nevertheless, adoption rates are low. Robotics and other technologies are widely expected to not just replace workers but also to bring comparative advantages.

Construction robotics FAQ