The world is entering an age of robotics. Industrial robots have worked in the manufacturing sector for decades, and now they appear in everything from airports to agriculture. Construction could be the next industry to undergo an automation transformation.
Construction work is well-suited for autonomous machinery. Tasks are typically repetitive, physical, precise and time-sensitive, and most don’t require out-of-the-box or creative thinking. These types of jobs are typically what manufacturers automate first, yet the industry has to fully embrace this advancement.
As the sector’s shortcomings become more apparent and technology advances, this trend is starting to shift.
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Why construction needs automation
Automation is long overdue in the construction industry, and not just because it’s technologically possible. Robotics is an ideal way to improve productivity and cost-efficiency, and construction has developed a reputation for being slow and expensive. Some studies suggest that as many as nine in 10 construction projects experience cost overruns, often 28% or more.
Robots typically work faster and more precisely than humans, which would help address this issue. These benefits are particularly valuable given the persistent labor shortage in the industry. As of Q3 2020, 83% of US contractors reported having difficulty finding skilled workers, so artificially expanding the workforce would be a significant help.
Another issue in the construction industry automation could help address is safety. The sector is infamously hazardous, accounting for one-fifth of all workplace fatalities in 2017. Autonomous equipment would reduce these deaths by removing humans from the most dangerous parts of the job.
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Where is autonomous construction today
While construction companies are often slow to embrace new technologies, automation has already made significant progress in the industry. The sector may not be at the forefront of robotics, but autonomous construction equipment is more common than many may realize.
In a 2017 study, 12% of surveyed construction companies said they’re just starting to implement robotics. Another 4% said they were using these technologies across all their projects. While those numbers aren’t staggering, they show that automated equipment is starting to take hold.
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Here’s a closer look at how teams today are using autonomous construction equipment:
Small construction robots
Perhaps the most common form of automation in construction is in small robots like drones. These may be less impressive than fully automated heavy machinery but serve a crucial role in safety and efficiency. Since they represent a smaller investment, they’re also an ideal way for teams to dip their toes into automation.
Many construction teams use drones to survey work sites. These aerial robots can capture more data in 20 minutes than a week of traditional measuring. This remarkable speed significantly improves project time to completion, and the richness of the data can reveal potential hazards, improving safety.
Other companies use drones to monitor work sites throughout the construction process, providing real-time updates to stakeholders. In 2019, researchers at the University of Michigan revealed an autonomous drone that can nail roof shingles. Since falls are among the most common injury sources on construction sites, this could revolutionize job site safety.
Autonomous heavy machinery
Recent advances have made autonomous heavy machinery a viable option for construction teams, too. Caterpillar, one of the most recognizable names in the industry, claims it’s already hauled 2 billion metric tons with self-driving trucks. These machines first appeared in the mining sector but have since moved into construction sites.
Construction teams may be slow to adopt autonomous heavy equipment since new machines are expensive. That’s why some startups, like SafeAI, have taken a retrofitting approach to automation. Instead of making new self-operating machines, they modify existing trucks, bulldozers and loaders to operate autonomously.
Most of these machines work by using a system of cameras and sensors. Data from LiDAR, cameras, GPS, RFID, and even vibration and temperature sensors guide them throughout the workplace safely and efficiently. As the technology behind these sensors improves, autonomous heavy machinery becomes a more reliable, worthwhile investment.
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Where autonomous construction can improve
As impressive as it is today, autonomous construction equipment still hasn’t shown remarkable adoption figures. These robots are a significant investment, and they’re also not perfect yet. One of the most pressing challenges that faces autonomous construction machinery has to do with the nature of construction work.
While many automatable construction tasks are repetitive, the work site itself is highly dynamic. As the project progresses, the surrounding area will change, and robots today don’t typically perform well in unstructured environments. Autonomous equipment will have to become more flexible and make sense of changing surroundings to reach its full potential.
Safety is another issue with autonomous construction equipment. While robots can find hazards and remove humans from the most dangerous tasks, their very presence could endanger workers. Struck-by incidents are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in construction already, and imperfect guiding systems in autonomous machinery could cause more accidents.
This is the same problem that faces driverless cars. Today’s self-guiding systems work as they should almost all the time, but it only takes one mistake for them to turn dangerous. These machines must recognize everything accurately and respond appropriately 100% of the time to reach optimal safety.
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Where autonomous construction can go from here
With more investment, technology will improve, and autonomous construction will overcome these obstacles. Some experts believe the industry will spend $4 billion on artificial intelligence (AI) by 2026. Since AI is the underlying technology enabling autonomous driving, this investment will likely lead to safer, more accurate construction robots.
As this technology develops, autonomous construction equipment will do more with less supervision. Eventually, humanoid robot workers could work alongside employees, letting contractors expand their workforce as needed despite labor shortages. Some robots can already open doors and climb stairs, so this future may not be far away.
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The construction industry is changing
Construction sites today are an entirely different environment than they were just a decade ago. The industry is embracing technology like remote sensors and AI, paving the way for autonomous equipment.
Construction robotics may not be perfect yet, but they’re already showing significant promise. These machines could reduce costs, speed completion times and improve safety, all amid an ongoing labor shortage. Before long, robots could be a common sight across all construction projects.
