Construction Robotics in Japan

Abstract

Three years ago a robot was applied to construction for the first time in Japan (Yoshida et al., 1984). Since then, several experimental construction robots have been developed (Paulson, 1984). Research projects on construction robots have included technical subjects (such as robot mechanisms and sensor signal processing) and social subjects (such as possible unemployment caused by robots changing the labor-intensive character of the construction industry). The first participants in these projects in Japan were mainly from general contractor companies, but now subcontractors, related professional societies, and governmental organizations participate in construction robotics.