Robotics
Robotics are devices with motor capabilities, autonomously or remotely controlled, including autonomous vehicles or powered exoskeletons. The majority of robots used in fabrication in the construction industry are not on the job site. Instead, they are used in building construction machinery, arc welding metal components, applying adhesives, and assembling doors and windows. There are five major areas of robotics:
- On-site production robots: In recent years many prototypes and tests with various construction robots such as Hadrian X, a bricklaying robot, or Japanese firm Shmizu Corp’s Robo-Welder which can handle a variety of welding tasks
- Pre-fab construction robots: Robotic arms and machines have been used for decades in factory production lines, and so it’s no surprise that the growing market for pre-fabricated homes is also using this technology
- Autonomous vehicles: From diggers to bulldozers, there are numerous building site vehicles which are primed for automation in construction.
- Inspection robots in construction: Site inspection tasks take time and energy – and so a number of inspection robots are being developed which could help streamline the task
- Exoskeletons: exoskeletons are pieces of kit worn by construction site workers that provide robotic features. They can help wearers to lift heavier weights while reducing fatigue
