Like almost all fields, technological advancements have presented many inventions that will carve the future of the construction industry. Advanced robotics, in particular, can help replace or improve existing processes, making them both more efficient and more accurate. Indeed, robots are not playing a huge role right now whether you see residential, industrial, or renovation-based ventures. But we are starting to see huge changes and soon the influence of robots will result in an extremely transformative experience.
A recent study by the Midwest Economic Policy Institute (MEPI) estimates that by 2057 robots could replace or displace 2.7 million jobs in construction. Construction is indeed difficult to work and needs a lot of manpower seeing its wide scope in our vertically growing world. Robots are perfect for such a job. Below we explore the major reasons robots are widely replacing construction workers and changing the industry:
Efficient Performance in repeatable tasks
Human workers have to cope with a variety of personal and environmental factors that robots do not. They may get tired, bored, or even burned out at the site. The quality of their work can also get influenced because of family or personal problems.
Robots do not have any of these problems. They will continue to operate at about the same level and performance for an indefinite period, excluding the need for maintenance or other forms of failure. The risk is also reduced by preventive maintenance, thus keeping machines going for much longer periods. Consequently, compared to human counterparts, robots and automated systems offer a much higher level of efficiency.
There are many steps in traditional construction projects, from planning and development to the actual construction or assembly process. This process has been followed the same for many years, with little change. The advancement of 3D printing, particularly 3D printing robots, will change the current processes.
Additive manufacturing creates unparalleled opportunities for the scaling of on-demand projects and custom development. It helps to eliminate the need to transport large goods or materials by being able to print prefabricated parts or components on-site. This can reduce overhead costs, decrease project completion times, and enable more complex changes to the project. If a customer does not like the design of a particular fabricated part, it can be changed with just a few clicks.
Easy Management and Maintenance
In addition to basic robotics, it is possible to use artificial intelligence and related software to handle construction operations’ logistics and management side. Workers can be fitted with mobile devices that can be accessed by the system to deliver up-to-date orders, requests, and data. This system can do more than just increase performance, like improve safety, streamline collaborative activities and projects, and completely transform the working of development teams.
Extensive AI systems can also be built that centralize the construction work. Orders can be maintained and delivered by AI thus eliminating the need for a shift supervisor or conventional manager. These AI systems can improve the overall speed of projects.
Change is inevitable and with the advent of robotics and automation, humans are bound to be replaced. The above characteristics will certainly modify the nature of processes in manufacturing and construction companies. The thing to do here is to incorporate advance tools and platforms to stay relatable in the coming years.