The Growing Role of Robots in the Construction Industry

ever-present safety concerns. In recent years, however, robots have begun transforming the sector, enhancing efficiency, improving safety, and tackling labor shortages. As technology advances, robots are becoming integral to the construction industry, reshaping how buildings and infrastructure are created.

Addressing Labor Shortages and Increasing Productivity

One of the biggest challenges facing the construction industry today is the shortage of skilled labor. As older workers retire and fewer young people enter the trades, many construction firms struggle to keep projects on time and within budget. Robots offer a solution by automating repetitive tasks, such as bricklaying, welding, and concrete pouring, allowing companies to maintain productivity even with fewer workers.

One labor- and time-intensive task that’s starting to be automated by robots is drywall finishing. Canvas builds robots that complete automated drywall finishing in residential and commercial spaces—touting consistent quality, labor and time savings, and increased safety.

Another example is chalking on a building site. Dusty Robotics builds robots that autonomously print digital models onto the jobsite floor. The BIM-focused robots are being used on construction sites around the world, saving time, labor, and the potential for human error. 

Enhancing Safety on Construction Sites

Construction is inherently dangerous, with workers regularly exposed to hazards such as falls, heavy machinery, and harmful materials. Robots are playing a crucial role in making construction sites safer.

Raise Robotics aims to keep humans away from the slab edges of multistory projects. Rather than having a human worker on the edge doing the work—which rightly requires setting up and moving fall protection and safety lines—the Raise Robot can keep the worker at a safe distance. The robot was initially designed to perform fastener and backet layout, installation, and inspection on concrete slabs for building projects. But Raise and builders are working to expand the use cases for additional safety opportunities. 

From Engineering nEws-Record

Kewazo’s LIFTBOT reduces the crew size needed to set up a building’s scaffold, sending fewer workers up to dangerous heights. It’s a remote-controlled robot that moves scaffolding segments and other building materials to height along its rails—without having to move or modify scaffolding guardrails. 

Precision and Quality Control

Robots are not only faster but also more precise than humans, which is vital in the construction industry where accuracy can make or break a project. Robots can be programmed to perform tasks with a high degree of precision, reducing errors and the need for rework.

Gilbane Building Company has been working with Nextera Robotics to collect and analyze data from building sites. The Nextera robots navigate a building site autonomously, collecting images of the space and building a database of project visuals. The images are used to track project progress, quality control, safety practices, and more—giving builders tons of unbiased data about their projects through the entire building process. 

Integrating Robots with Existing Technologies

The rise of robots in construction doesn’t exist in isolation. These technologies are increasingly being integrated with other emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Building Information Modeling (BIM). By combining robots with AI, construction companies can enable autonomous decision-making on job sites, optimizing workflows and predicting potential issues before they arise.

Future Outlook: What’s Next for Construction Robots?

The role of robots in construction is set to grow in the coming years. As technology advances and costs come down, more construction companies will likely adopt robotic systems to stay competitive. The integration of robotics with other cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, augmented reality (AR), and digital twins, will continue to drive innovation and efficiency in the industry.

Robots won’t replace human workers, but they will redefine their roles, allowing workers to focus on higher-value tasks that require creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Robots will handle the repetitive, dangerous, and labor-intensive tasks, creating a safer and more efficient work environment.

Conclusion

Robots are rapidly becoming essential tools in the construction industry, helping companies overcome labor shortages, improve safety, and boost productivity. They’re transforming how we build our cities and infrastructure. Robots will continue to play a critical role in shaping the future of construction, driving the industry toward a more automated, precise, and sustainable future.