Robotics in Construction

Abstract

This chapter introduces various construction automation concepts that have been developed over the past few decades and presents examples of construction robots that are in current use (as of 2006) and/or in various stages of research and development. Section 47.1 presents an overview of the construction industry, which includes descriptions of the industry, the types of construction, and the typical construction project. The industry overview also discusses the concept of automation versus robotics in construction and breaks down the concept of robotics in construction into several levels of autonomy. Section 47.1 also presents traditional and advanced concepts for sensing systems in construction, which enable the use of robots and various forms of automation. Section 47.2 discusses some of the economic aspects of implementing robotics in construction, and Sect. 47.3 presents examples of robots from various construction applications. Section 47.4 discusses unsolved technical problems in construction robotics, which include interoperability, connection systems, tolerances, and power and communications. Finally, Sect. 47.5 discusses future directions in construction robotics and Sect. 47.6 gives some conclusions and suggests resources for further reading.