Construction Robotics: Technological and Commercial Developments for Prominent Applications and Prospects
Robotics is reshaping construction and industrial services, setting new benchmarks for innovation, efficiency, and industry transformation. In the first part of this series, we explored the growing adoption of robots in construction and industrial services, highlighting key players, applications, geographies, and technological advancements. If you missed it, you can read the article here .
In this follow-up, we analyze notable industry developments and prospects, uncovering what lies ahead for construction and industrial robotics.
Mason and Concrete Handling Robots
Masonry and concrete tasks are complex, with a niche market for robots designed to handle them. Companies like Construction Robotics and FBR lead the way, offering semi-automated robots for bricklaying, block placement, material handling, and concrete pouring. These robots streamline labour-intensive processes, boosting efficiency and consistency.
Key players are focusing on partnerships and agreements to expand these technologies, with the USA and the Middle East as primary adoption regions. 1, 2 As robots evolve, advancements in machine vision, AI, and machine learning will enable them to tackle more complex tasks, further transforming construction.
Benefits of Mason Robots
- High-efficiency and productivity
- Capability to work in hazardous and space applications
- Highly suitable for defense and military applications
Limitations
- Only suitable for repetitive and easy to lay geometries
- Not fully automated and require manual assistance
Painting, Coating and Surface Finishing Applications
Robots have made significant progress in industries like automotive for painting, coating, and surface finishing, but the construction sector was slower to adopt them due to the complexity of tasks. Recently, however, there’s been growing adoption of robotic solutions in construction.
Robots are now automating tasks such as painting, sanding, grinding, and floor coating, working at 2-3 times the speed of humans and delivering up to 50% cost savings. Manufacturers are targeting general contractors and subcontractors, while rental companies, like Robonnement, are offering subscription models for renting these robots, making them more accessible.
While surface finishing robots offer high efficiency and productivity, their adoption has been slowed by high ownership costs and worker reluctance to embrace new technologies. However, with increasing focus on rental and subscription models, these robots are expected to become more widely adopted.
Advancements in AI, machine learning, vision systems, and analytics are enhancing robot capabilities. Additionally, improvements in robotic arms, attachments, and modular structures are expanding their range of functions. Companies like RoboSurf are positioning their products as next-gen solutions, with upgradable software and modular attachments, ensuring these robots can adapt to future demands.
Advancing Construction Planning with Layout Printing and Surface Mapping
Layout printing and surface mapping play a critical role in the planning stages of construction, typically handled by architects, contractors, and engineers. These non-repetitive tasks represent a niche market with few dominant players.
Companies like Dusty, HP, and Civi Robotics are streamlining layout printing, transforming its integration into the construction process. In surface mapping, Boston Dynamics and AnyRobotics excel, though their focus is primarily on inspection and environmental modeling rather than layout printing.
The convergence of inspection and surface mapping has led many companies to broaden their scope, addressing growing demand and providing comprehensive solutions for modern construction needs.
Benefits
- High-efficiency and Productivity (8X-10X productivity)
- Capability to print multiple layouts at once
- Mission planning, real-time reporting and monitoring
Limitations
- Limited use and niche clientele
- Requires technical upskilling before usage
Robotics in Action: Transforming Specialized Construction and Industrial Services
The construction and industrial services sectors encompass a wide range of specialized applications, from fireproofing, insulation, and coating to polishing, painting, inspections, maintenance operations, refractory work, hydro-blasting, abrasive blasting, drilling, welding, wind turbine maintenance, and more. These tasks are highly complex, require precise control, and and tailored solutions. Robots are redefining these operations, bringing precision and efficiency to tasks previously reliant on manual expertise. Key areas where robotics is driving significant impact include advanced maintenance, surface treatments, and high-precision tasks, transforming how services are delivered across the sector.
Scaffold and Access systems Transportation Robot
The transportation and assembly of scaffolding on construction sites is a labor-intensive task, especially for high-rise projects where scaffolding must be lifted hundreds of feet. While hoists are used to assist, much of the work is still done manually, consuming significant labor.
To address this, industry players have focused on lighter materials and innovative designs to reduce weight, along with pulley systems to improve efficiency. However, the process remains resource-heavy, and automation is emerging as a promising solution. Major players are exploring robotic systems to streamline scaffolding transport and assembly, and we can expect further developments in this area soon.
- Kewazo has transformed scaffold transport and assembly with its Liftbot robot. Easy to assemble and controlled from the ground, the Liftbot allows just three workers to efficiently lift an entire scaffold inventory, significantly enhancing productivity on construction sites.
Breaking Barriers: Robotic Coating Solutions Eliminating Silos and Complexity
While robotic automation has long been used for general painting and coating, specialized tasks like coating tanks, storage chambers, and wind turbine blades require higher precision. These structures are often vertical or complex, making them difficult to access without specialized equipment, leading to labor-intensive and costly processes.
To address this, robots have been developed that can inspect and coat surfaces with precision. These robots are capable of crawling, climbing, and reaching inaccessible areas, improving coating accuracy while reducing labor costs compared to traditional methods.
- qlayers targets high precision coating applications in industrial set-ups.
- It offers up to 80% reduction in work hours and automates coating applications.
Robots for Spray Foam Insulation and Installation of Insulation Panels
As energy efficiency takes center stage, especially in colder regions, the demand for insulation services is surging. Key applications include spray foam insulation and metal panel installation, addressing the needs of warehouses, cold storage facilities, and residential spaces. These solutions are pivotal in enhancing energy performance and reducing operational costs. Spray foam insulation has already been automated, with Qbot leading the way. Their robot can access hard-to-reach areas like basements and under floors, improving efficiency and reducing labor costs. In contrast, metal panel installation is more complex, and while robots are not yet commercially widespread, ongoing research—such as developments for LNG carriers and ALC wall panels—shows promising potential. Once perfected, these robots could transform the multi-billion-dollar panel installation industry.
- qbot performs spray foam insulation in hard-to-reach places.
- Currently targeting residential and commercial underfloor insulation, the robot can be upgraded to perform other spray foam applications.
Abrasive Blasting Robots
Abrasive blasting robots are now indispensable in industries like refractory work, painting, and coating, where precise surface preparation is critical. These robots use high-velocity abrasive streams to clean and prep surfaces, serving sectors such as shipbuilding, automotive repair, construction, and glasswork.
The industry is shifting its focus toward enhancing the modularity, portability, and efficiency of these robots. This evolution is expanding their versatility, enabling them to tackle a wider range of tasks across diverse environments while cutting costs and driving productivity.
Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection
Inspection robots are revolutionizing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) in the construction sector, equipped with technologies like ultrasonic, machine vision, infrared, UV, and chemical testing. These robots are crucial for a variety of industrial tasks, offering detailed assessments in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments where traditional methods are challenging or unsafe.
With advances in robotic technology, NDT capabilities are becoming more integrated, allowing for more thorough inspections. Robots are in high demand for critical tasks, such as inspecting wind turbines, nuclear plants, and ships. While ultrasonic NDT robots are already available, digital radiography technologies, including X-ray and radioscopy, are gaining interest for their precision. These robots come in various forms—drones, crawlers, humanoids—tailored for diverse, demanding inspection applications.
- Aerones is a crawler type robot with NDT inspection capabilities and specially developed for inspecting external and internal turbine structures
- The robot also provides additional services of sanding, cleaning, coating, filler application, draining hole cleaning, etc.,
FutureBridge Perspective
The construction robotics landscape is set for rapid growth as automation becomes more accessible and indispensable. Integration with advanced technologies like AI, 3D printing, and augmented reality is enabling innovations such as AI-driven construction vehicles, 3D-printed buildings, and automated maintenance systems.
High Growth Prospects
- With only 0.2 robots per 10,000 workers in the US and 1.2 robots per 10,000 workers in Europe, the potential for construction robotics is immense.
- Middle Eastern and Asian regions lag even further, with below 0.1 robots per 10,000 workers.
- To meet growing demand, approximately 14,000 buildings will require construction or maintenance daily, fueling adoption.
Surface Finishing Applications Leading the Way
- ~60% of project managers in large construction firms plan to integrate robotics into their services.
- Surface finishing tasks like welding, cutting, and coating are expected to see the highest adoption, with ~65% interest among project managers.
Next-Level Productivity
- Robotic systems enhance productivity by 20% or more, with processes like layout planning, painting, plastering, and blasting seeing increases of 8x-10x productivity.
- Miniature robotic systems are emerging to address limitations in small-scale and customized work environments, enhancing versatility.
Easier Adoption
- Advanced 3D modeling, gesture-based controls, and AI/ML-driven automation are making robotics easier to adopt without requiring technical expertise.
- Many of these technologies are still in the prototype stage but promise smooth integration for broader industry use.
Need for Modularity and Cross-Platform Support
- Despite their advantages, robots must integrate seamlessly with existing processes.
- Adoption of layout planning, material handling, and inspection robots will hinge on their cross-platform compatibility and ability to communicate with building management systems (BMS).
Emerging Business Strategy: Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS)
- Smaller players and industry leaders are shifting toward RaaS models, focusing on financing and integrating robotics into service lines rather than selling them as standalone products.
- Key RaaS applications include painting, coating, paneling, and insulation, enabling a scalable and service-driven approach to automation.
Conclusion: The Future of Construction Robotics
With rising labor costs, a shortage of skilled workers, and stringent safety standards, robots are becoming critical for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and meeting evolving demands. Modular solutions, RaaS models, and co-development partnerships will continue to drive adoption, empowering companies to lead in this transformative era. The future of construction will be built by robots—delivering unparalleled value and reshaping industry dynamics.
With modular solutions and RaaS models leading the way, now is the time to embrace transformation. Connect with us to explore how robotics can elevate your operations and build a smarter future.
