Why We Cannot Automate the Construction Process...Yet
When picturing automation in the construction industry, one might imagine a slick robot hanging up drywall. Automation in construction is much more nuanced than that, and is not nearly as unattainable as one might think. With self-driving cars and surveillance robots, it’s beginning to seem like robots are all around us. In reality, we’ve yet to dive deep into the potential advantages of robotics in an array of industries including construction. Technology is advancing quickly, and even though the construction industry might not be ready quite yet, it’s not as far off as it may seem. A McKinsey report illuminated five factors affecting the spread of automation for an industry—technical feasibility; costs to automate; scarcity, skills and costs of labor; benefits beyond labor cost (superior performance, better quality, etc); regulatory and social acceptance.
Will Automation Take Away Jobs?
Many people fear that automation in the construction industry could diminish employment for construction workers, but in reality it’s more likely to increase productivity than steal jobs. There is a significant shortage of labor created by the Great Recession that the construction industry hasn’t bounced back from, even though construction spending is at an all-time high. In addition, older workers are aging out and retiring while the younger generation isn’t enthusiastic about careers in construction, which is also contributing to current shortfalls in labor demand. The skills shortage in construction is a familiar problem, and robotics is essential to helping resolve that issue. An additional aspect, is that a significant increase in human labor in the construction industry is much less likely to happen than a decrease of workers, which solidifies the need for automation. Productivity in construction has been stagnant in comparison with other industries such as manufacturing and agriculture.
How could automation be used in construction?
There is a massive amount of potential to automation in the construction industry and a recent report from McKinsey states that it is already possible to automate almost half of the work involved in construction. Additionally, some areas in construction have increased potential for automation, such as operating engineers which has an 88% potential for automation. A reason for this increased potential is that autonomous heavy equipment already exists and is presently being used to perform excavation, grading and site work.
However, construction by nature has inherent complications that other industries like manufacturing don’t. In a sense, every contraction project in a prototype, an individual project that can’t be duplicated in an exact and precise way. Each design varies depending on locations, materials, purpose and functionality, as well as cost. To be the most effectual, robotics can’t be used with actual construction. McKinsey estimates that automation potential for unpredictable physical work is only 38% when compared to predictable physical works which has a 70% automation potential for construction and extraction workers. However, it is intriguing to consider how robotics could be integrated into providing visibility, proactively identifying problems, analyzing progress and more.
There are three main areas where automation in construction is compelling. The first is automation of receptive, physical on-site tasks such as robots laying bricks or or machines paving roads. However, another thing to consider, is building a robot to lay brick, a tiny and light component, with the size and weigh ideal for the human hand, counterproductive? Is it more advantageous to precast a whole supporting wall in a factory using robots? Does the construction industry need to change the way is looks at design and execution?
The second opportunity is the possibility of modular production in factories, including the possibility of 3D printing of parts, such as facades. The third focuses on all things digital like design, planning and management procedures. Advances such as building information modeling, which can bring the designs of planners and general contractors to identify issues well before they even move to the job site, making the planning process more effective. Additionally, this increases the efficiency of the project on-site, essentially eliminating mistakes before they happen and enhancing the workforce in their coordination efforts.
Additional Advantages to Automation
Another benefit to automation in construction is the ability to decrease the number of human injuries on the job during construction. Robotics and remote operation of certain technologies have continuously had significant advantages to keeping humans safe and out of harm’s way. The main areas are in remote operation, heavy lifting and repetitive tasks. An advantage of robots is that they can work continuously and accomplish tasks faster than their human counterparts without needed to rest, take breaks or go home for the evening. Robots won’t become fatigued from lifting bricks, applying mortar, and setting them in place or constantly bending over to tie rebar. In these examples, the worker isn’t completely replaced or made redundant. It’s still necessary for humans to perform some of the work such as setting up the robots and getting them started. For a bricklaying robot, it’s necessary to have a mason oversee the work and ensure bricks are correctly placed and clean up the motor after it’s been set. The rebar tying robot needs someone to accurately place and space the rebar before it gets set in motion. It’s probable that investments in robotics will begin in areas where their success will increase human safety as well as other additional benefits. Also, by having robotics mainstream the repetitive and heavy-duty task, this allows humans to use their best strength—their brain. By not being worn-out by repetitive tasks and back-breaking work, humans will be able to focus on creative problem solving.
An additional advantage to automation is decreasing operating costs and wastage. Robotics are not only more efficient they also are consistently more accurate than their human counterparts. They are also able to produce a constant high-level quality of work and incorporate an enormous amount of efficiency to a construction site. The ability of robotics to measure in millimeter precision instead of centimeters, allows for more accuracy, reducing waste and increasing sustainability. Automation also reduces environmental impact by consuming fewer resources and operating machinery for less time.
As technology continues to advance, it is beginning to have an impact, even though construction robots are still in their infancy. A few areas where robotics are starting to be incorporated are: 3D printing of large structures, bricklaying, rebar tying, climbing robots for building tall structures, using robotic heavy equipment for disaster relief situations, and wearable exoskeletons to assist workers while executing heavy tasks.
Prefabrication is an area where robotics could be utilized ahead of other sectors since controlled environments are ideal robotic tasks. The ability to create components in a factory setting, with precision and receptive movement is a prototypical use of automation. In prefabrication, the components are factory-built, then moved to the construction site and assembled. This type of construction can eliminate various inefficiencies often found on typical constructions sites. Typically, prefabrication comes in two forms—modular and prefabricated. With modular construction, entire rooms can be built and transported to the site. Prefabrication is typically based on individual components built off-site and assembled on-site.
3D printing is an ever increasing construction technology, and is used both on-site and in prefabricating components. It is anticipated that an increase in use of this technology and its advantages and applications will continue over the years. There are a myriad of ways that 3D printing technology is beginning to be implemented in the industry including:
Printing pedestrian bridges
Rapid deployment of disaster relief shelters
Printing buildings
Printing mould for load-baring components
Reproduction of historic building components
As next-generation printers continue to advance, they will be considered more as construction robots and will continue to change the construction industry. In the near future, 3D printing will include increasing options and sophistication such as applying finishes and insulation.
It is necessary for the construction industry to take advantage of automation and begin planning for the future. Up until now, robotic use has been limited to tasks that are too boring, dirty or dangerous for humans to want to routinely tackle. Imperative to the success of robotics in any project demands an assessment of the project as a whole—from the design, the build, the site, as well as how everything is evolving. It is beneficial to focus on the softer side of construction (teamwork, economics, collaboration) and not just the hard side of technology. Additionally, better planning can increase visibility for on-site robotics need to help defeat the unknown environment and be used to the best of their ability.
In conclusion
A small silver-lining for the construction industry through 2021 and the pandemic, it that it has elevated construction technology awareness to a level that would not have otherwise been reached for years. It can now be recognized that automation in construction is vital for the future of the industry. Robotics and technology can enhance productivity, attract workers, remove inefficiencies, and make sites safer. It is likely that prefabrication will someday become the norm where massive components in the construction project will be made offsite in a factory.
Even though we’re not ready to automate the construction process yet, the groundwork is being laid for practical application of robotics now.
