WHY
AUTOMATION
AND ROBOTICS
FOR CONSTRUCTION
Automation and robotics can provide several benefits to the construction industry. Firstly, they can increase efficiency and productivity by completing tasks faster and more accurately than humans. This can help reduce the overall time and cost of the project and can also make it easier to meet tight project deadlines. Additionally, automation robotics can take on dangerous tasks such as heavy lifting, working at heights, and working in hazardous environments, reducing the risk of injury or even fatalities for human workers. This can help improve safety on construction sites and reduce insurance and liability costs for construction companies.
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Moreover, automation robotics can provide enhanced quality, flexibility, and sustainability to construction projects. They can perform tasks with greater precision and consistency, resulting in higher quality work and fewer errors or defects. Automation and robotics can also be programmed to perform various tasks, making them adaptable to different construction projects and changing job site conditions.
Finally, they can help reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of construction projects by using precise amounts of materials and reducing the need for rework. Overall, automation robotics can improve the efficiency, safety, quality, flexibility, and sustainability of construction projects, making them valuable tools for the industry.
THE CASE
The use of automation and robotics can improve the efficiency, safety, quality, flexibility, and sustainability of construction projects, making them valuable tools for the industry.
US$260 Billion
Global Market for Labor & Equipment
According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global construction equipment market size was valued at $121.8 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $261.0 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% from 2020 to 2027. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for construction equipment, accounting for over 50% of the global market share. The increasing demand for infrastructure and construction activities in emerging economies such as China and India is expected to drive the market's growth.
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As for labor, the global construction industry is one of the largest employers in the world. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the construction industry employed 189 million workers globally in 2020. This figure is expected to grow to 220 million workers by 2025. Most construction workers are employed in Asia, followed by Africa and the Americas. The industry also has a significant impact on the global economy, contributing to about 13% of the world's GDP.
Global Construction Efficiency Factor
According to a report by the McKinsey Global Institute, the construction industry has seen a productivity growth rate of only 1% over the past two decades, compared to a global average of 2.8% for all industries. This is due to several factors, including industry fragmentation, complex supply chains, and low levels of technology adoption.
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However, the adoption of new technologies such as automation and robotics has the potential to improve the efficiency factor of the construction industry significantly. Automation and robotics can help reduce project timelines, increase quality and safety, and reduce material waste and costs. By utilizing these technologies, construction companies can complete projects faster, with fewer errors and defects, and with less manual labor, resulting in higher productivity and efficiency.
Technology Adoption is Needed
The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI), automation, robotics, and other digital technologies in the design and planning stages of construction projects can also help improve efficiency by optimizing processes and reducing errors. By leveraging these technologies, construction companies can better plan and manage projects, leading to fewer delays, lower costs, and higher quality.
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While the construction industry has traditionally lagged behind in terms of efficiency compared to other industries, the adoption of new technologies and digital solutions has the potential to improve the industry's efficiency factor significantly.
Why we have to
There are several good cases for using automation and robotics in construction for the next generation, including:
Increased Efficiency
Automation and robotics can complete tasks more quickly and accurately than humans, leading to increased efficiency in construction projects. This can help reduce the overall time and cost of the project.
Greater Flexibility
Automation and robotics can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks, making them adaptable to different construction projects and changing job site conditions.
Improved Safety
Automation and robotics can take on dangerous tasks such as heavy lifting, working at heights, and working in hazardous environments, reducing the risk of injury or even fatalities for human workers.
Reduced Labor Shortage
The construction industry has been facing a shortage of skilled labor in recent years. Automation robotics can help alleviate this shortage by taking on certain tasks and reducing the need for skilled labor.
Enhanced Quality
Automation and robotics in construction can perform tasks with greater precision and consistency, resulting in higher quality work and fewer errors or defects.
Sustainable Construction
Automation and robotics in construction can help reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of construction projects by using precise amounts of materials and reducing the need for rework.
Growing Impact
In terms of equipment, the adoption of automation and robotics is likely to drive the demand for advanced machinery, tools, and equipment. Construction companies will need to invest in new technologies and equipment to integrate automation and robotics into their processes, leading to increased spending on equipment. As more companies adopt these technologies, the market for construction equipment is expected to grow as more advanced and specialized equipment is developed to support automation and robotics.
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Automation and robotics are also expected to create new jobs that require advanced technical skills, such as programming and maintenance of the systems. These jobs will require a different set of skills than those needed for traditional construction jobs, and this could lead to a shift in the labor market towards more highly skilled workers.
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Overall, the impact of automation and robotics on the labor and equipment market in construction will depend on the extent of adoption and the rate of technological advancement in the industry.