Have Robots Arrived at Construction Sites?

Let us imagine coming on construction sites seeing robots grading and laying out a construction site, laying brick walls, sorting materials and assembling scaffolding trusses.

As far-fetched as it can seem, it can be something of a concept from a science fiction movie, an excerpt from one of Isaac Asimov’s stories but advances in construction are being made.

Construction Sites

As a matter of fact, depending on the kind of work any one does, they might be using robots (or their equivalent) at their workplace.

Vending machines are machines, but at least they spare the office boy from grabbing drinks and snacks from the supermarket nearby.

Using Robotics in various industrial and business applications hasn’t gone so bad at all. In fact, the notion that robots would replace humans has been debunked.

Robotic heat welders and remote-controlled demolition robots not only have been available commercially, but also have been in use for quite some time.

Robots have thankfully not been able to fully remove the need for human workers in any industry, not even in construction. In fact, they’ve been helping humans amplify their functions even more. They make work at sites faster, safer, easier, and less stressful.

The most likely scenario is that robots will work together with humans to make their work easy. They will help improve safety and will also raise productivity too.

Existing capabilities of existing robots when combined with labor shortages can lead to robots handling redundant and more menial work. Hence workers can focus on other core tasks.

This is something that has helped dispute avoidance experts breathe sighs of relief with ease.

Robots that lay bricks

Semi-automated masonry (SAM) robot systems

Construction Robotics, a well-known robotics company developed the SAM robot system. It is intended to work together with masons to cut down expenses, raise productivity and improve work quality.

It helps remove strenuous work through brick lifting, mortar applications, and placing each brick correctly.

Masons ensure each brick is placed correctly, excess mortar is cleaned and the overall project is properly overseen and completed in the best possible manner.

Construction Robotics also manufactures the Material Unit Lift Enhancer (MULE) for aiding in lifting and placing heavy materials on construction sites. This system also helps improve both productivity and safety of workers.

As a matter of fact, both MULE and SAM robots have been used for completing a large number of projects ranging from offices and hotels to university buildings and retail stores, and warehouses too.

Hadrian X Robot System

It was last year that Fast brick Robotics unveiled Hadrian X. It is a prototype bricklaying robot which can lay down 1,000 bricks in one hour.

It can build a whole house in almost two days with complete pathways for electrical, plumbing and spaces for adding doors, windows and ventilation shafts.

Trucks and Heavy equipment that drive and work on their own

Crash trucks equipped with thinners have been used in highway work and safety zones for years. They help protect both workers and motorists.

These trucks have been working as barriers between workers painting lines on roads and highways, as well in action when roads are being resurfaced.

Royal Truck and Equipment has partnered with companies like Kratos and Micro Systems to build autonomous crash trucks to help keep road construction workers safe.

These trucks can be remotely controlled, have GPS waypoint navigation and can also be alternatively led by a lead vehicle transmitting information to the crash truck guiding it to turn, brake, and maintain speed at the correct moment.

What does the future hold for construction in light of robotics?

Forensic Delay Analysis experts have been keeping sights on robotics, robots, automation and their cooperation with human workers at construction sites.

They have been able to breathe sighs of relief, given the fact that rules in construction have been broken in some countries, but in developed countries, rules have been maintained.

Injured and affected workers can get their work amplified by robots and robotics.

Moreover, they are being trained and their skills are enriched in fixing these robots (meaning a college degree for fixing them is no longer necessary).

Moreover, these robots are also bringing back the basics, meaning old fashioned methods are revisited with new touches and tactics.