From Lab to Field: A Sociotechnical Systems View of the Organisational Cycle for Intelligent Robotics Technologies Ideation, Planning, Design, Development and Deployment

Advanced intelligent robotics technologies like autonomous and collaborative robots in construction sites have been explored in the literature for more than a decade. However, there are only a few prototypes that successfully make it to the field due to various reasons. There is burgeoning interest in the design, development and deployment of intelligent robot technologies due to the spread of Industry 4.0.

Ideas for a robot project often stem from a visionary's intention to solve industry challenges such as workplace safety and well-being, productivity, market competitiveness. The translation of the visionary's idea into reality goes through an iterative design and development process before a tangible robot prototype is produced. Within the organisational cycle, the abilities to lead, organise, mediate, plan, communicate and engage are important. At each stage of the cycle, different interactions and considerations are required involving different stakeholders. However, for ultimate success, the proof of concept, acceptance and deployment into field (reality) are equally important aspects of the development for new technologies.

This study examines the sociotechnical systems processes involved in an innovation project about intelligent robot technologies in construction. We examine stakeholder interactions across the system from ideation, planning and design, rapid iterations and prototyping that resulted in a successful development of a proof-of-concept intelligent robot onsite.