Future Uses of Robotics and other Forms of Automation in Onsite Construction Applications

The influencing factores which favor or hinder the development, market penetration and use of robotics and other forms of automation on construction sites were studied by the author and collegues in the United States, Canadam Japan, England, West Germany and Sweden from 1985 to 1987. Data collection was accomplished through extensive literature searches and interviews in each of country with key decision makers, scientists, industry experts, and other pertinent persons. Although some differences exist from country to country, the following factors have a generally favorable influence: the promise of increased productivity, quality and consistency; improvements in worker safety; liability reduction; reduced operating and maintainance costs due to automation in cleaning, re-finishing and repairs; increasing worldwide competition; increasing activity in building rehabilitation and the special hazards/needs assosiated therewith; technological spin-offs from relevant work ny military, energy and other sectors not as cost sensitive as construction industry; lasck of cost-justifiability due to amll use base; limitations of robot manufacturers resources for new development; abundance of available labor in most pasts of the world and in nearly all skill categories; the non repetitive nature of the increasing building rehabilitation market. Although "the ice has definately been broken" with about 50 types of robotic/automation applications under development or in use in various parts of the worldm it is likely to be 1995 and beyond before any significant use is made of robotics and high level automation systems on construction sites.