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The construction industry is using automation in construction to fast track processes and overcome labor shortages. Automation technologies like robots, drones, and software can automate repetitive, time-consuming works and increase efficiency and safety of worker’s on construction sites.
Modular construction involves automating building component
manufacturing in factories, while automation in construction also encompasses
digitizing design, planning, and management. Experts estimate 15-20% of new
construction will be modular in the US and Europe by 2030, requiring an
upskilled workforce to collaborate with automated systems.
Streamlining Processes
Streamlining Construction Processes Through Automation:
Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity
Construction automation refers to the processes, tools, and
equipment that leverage automated workflows to build buildings and
infrastructure more efficiently.
Few Usage of automation in construction industry are as follows:
Automation of Traditional On-Site Tasks:
Portable and
reconfigurable automated equipment is being developed to automate physical
tasks on construction sites, such as bricklaying, concrete pouring, and
demolition. Robotic construction equipment can perform these tasks with higher
precision and speed compared to manual labor.
Off-Site Automation and Modular Construction:
Off-site
construction automation moves processes into factories, allowing for
optimization of automation, robotics, and digital workflows. Industrialized
construction (IC) and construction automation are fundamentally linked, as
increased automation enables more industrialized construction strategies like
prefabrication and modular construction.
Digitization and Automation of Design, Planning, and Management:
Automation encompasses digitizing and streamlining design,
planning, and management procedures through advanced software, Building
Information Modeling (BIM), project management tools, and collaborative design
platforms.
Automation can streamline various construction workflows,
from project estimation and bidding to resource allocation, scheduling, and
quality control:
Project Estimation and Bidding:
Automation tools can gather
and analyze data efficiently for accurate project estimation, preventing cost
overruns and delays. The bidding process can be accelerated by automating
notifications, data collection, and decision-making for stakeholders.
Design and Planning:
Automation has enhanced architectural
and engineering design processes, enabling the creation of more complex and
innovative designs through software and other design tools.
Benefits
Automation in the construction industry offers lots of
benefits that can significantly increase efficiency, productivity, and overall
project outcomes.
Here are some key advantages:
Improved Sustainability:
Automation technologies can
contribute to more sustainable construction by reducing material waste,
resource utilization, and minimizing environmental impact.
Addressing Labor Shortages:
With the construction industry
facing a shortage of skilled workers, automation can help mitigate this
challenge by taking on repetitive, time-consuming, and potentially dangerous
tasks, freeing up human workers for more complex and specialized roles.
Enhanced Safety:
Automated systems and robotics can perform
hazardous tasks, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries on construction
sites, thereby improving overall worker safety.
Increased Efficiency and Productivity:
By automating
repetitive and mundane tasks, construction projects can be completed more
efficiently, with higher precision and faster turnaround times. This increased
productivity can lead to significant cost savings and improved project
timelines.
Data Collection and Analysis:
Automated systems can collect
and analyze huge amounts of data from construction sites, providing valuable
data for decision-making.
Scalability:
Automation enables construction companies to maintain
their work more effectively and can take larger and more complex projects with
greater ease and efficiency.
Employee Satisfaction:
Automation can reduce the burden of
tedious, manual tasks, allowing construction professionals to focus on more
meaningful and intellectually stimulating work, leading to increased job
satisfaction and employee retention.
Enhanced Quality and Precision:
Automated processes and
robotic systems can deliver higher levels of precision and consistency,
resulting in superior quality construction and reduced rework.
Regulatory Compliance:
Automation can help ensure that
construction projects adhere to industry regulations and standards, minimizing
the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.
Data Security and Confidentiality:
Advanced automation
technologies incorporate robust security measures to protect sensitive project
data, ensuring data integrity and preventing unauthorized access or breaches.
Economical Value
The economic impact of automation in the construction
industry is multifaceted, with potential benefits and challenges. On one hand,
automation can reduce overall project costs by streamlining processes,
increasing efficiency, and reducing human error and rework . Additionally, the
shift towards more capital-intensive construction methods is evident, with
capital's share of construction industry output in the United States increasing
from 31.8% in 1997 to 37.0% in 2015.
However, automation is likely to exacerbate the wage gap,
with higher wages for workers with advanced skills, while those exposed to more
repetitive tasks may see slower wage growth . This highlights the need for
reskilling and upskilling the workforce to address the skills mismatch created
by automation, through collaborative efforts from the public sector, private
sector, and industry associations.
The potential for automation in the construction industry is
significant, with estimates suggesting that approximately 49% of all
construction tasks can be automated, ranging from 35% for laborers to 88% for
operating engineers . While this could lead to job displacement, with
projections indicating a potential loss of 1.5 million construction trades
workers in the U.S. by 2057 , the overall number of construction jobs is
expected to grow globally by up to 200 million by 2030, driven by
infrastructure and affordable housing demands.
Customer Experience
Automation in construction can significantly enhance the
customer experience by facilitating faster responses, automatic project
updates, and streamlined payment processing, leading to increased transparency
and trust between clients and construction firms.
Digitization has transformed the way businesses operate and
interact with customers . Automation technologies, such as Robotic Process
Automation (RPA), can improve efficiency and agility within construction
companies, positively impacting consumer satisfaction and engagement . By
automating repetitive tasks, employees can dedicate more time to customer
interactions, providing a higher level of service and responsiveness .
Furthermore, automation can streamline various aspects of
the purchasing process, improving service quality through:
- Immediate response to client queries and requests
- Automated self-service management for clients
- Timely project updates and progress reports
However, it is crucial for construction firms to carefully assess which tasks are suitable for automation, ensuring that essential aspects of customer service are not compromised . A balanced approach, leveraging automation for efficiency while maintaining personalized human interactions for critical touchpoints, can deliver an exceptional customer experience.
