Robots – Ushering In A New Era In Construction Industry

A performance - focused and visionary IT professional credited with over 19 years ofexperience in directing the entire IT operations with primary accountabilities towards Infrastructure Management, Service Delivery, Networking, Business Relationship Management, Process Definition and Application Software.

- Velprakash K

Technology is transforming the construction and project management landscape in more ways than one. An increasing reliance on technology, along with robotics, to tackle the complexities of mega projects, has started pushing companies to explore newer and cost-effective solutions. In fact, robots are now the center of all futuristic construction technology. A multi-purpose drone, bulldozer automation systems, robots cutting, stacking and packaging materials and welding structural frames are increasingly becoming a common feature across large, complex construction projects.

Technology can also monitor deliveries, inventory and enhance the efficiency of the overall process. This has led to an increase in the demand for various types of robots viz. collaborative industrial robots, logistics robots, building automation, autonomous drones, additive manufacturing and 3D printing etc.

Robots also help cope with mundane activities like lifting, shifting, loading unloading and other kind of repetitive jobs reducing dependence on human intervention and external factors such as fatigue, interest, skills, work timing, and human errors. Apart from addressing the issue of productivity, robots also play a key role in challenging work environment like mines and tunneling, where work has to be carried out in confined spaces and extreme weather conditions, human intervention in these areas is impossible. Some of the other challenges where the use of robotics in construction can help address:

Project Complexity: Construction projects are becoming more demanding and complicated in design. Structural complexity, technical complexity and high levels of dynamism on the end user need the flexibility to adapt to changes and re-engineer during construction, with zero impact to project end results.