Potential Robotics Utilization in Construction

Abstract

This paper provides a methodology for feasibility analysis of robotics in the construction industry. Major factors in robotization of construction processes are identified as need, technology, and economics. Ten characteristics supporting the need for robotization have been identified: labor intensiveness, vanishing skill area, high skill requirement, precision and dexterity requirement, repetitiveness, tedious and boring, critical to productivity, unpleasant and dirty, hazardous to health, and physically dangerous. The technological areas against which each construction process was evaluated included: material handling requirements, required sensor technology, complexity of required control software, control hardware, and end effector requirements. The economic benefits of robotization are basically due to productivity improvement, quality improvement, and savings in skilled labor. 33 operations are evaluated and numerical rankings are developed. Recommendations for future research are presented.