Substitution of workforce with robotics in the construction industry: A wise or witless approach

Abstract

The integration of robotics in the construction industry is critical for enhancing productivity, yet it remains under-researched. The problem addressed in this study is the low profitability and inefficiency in construction projects, which results in prolonged, costly, and substandard outcomes. To tackle this issue, the study aimed to identify variables affecting worker efficiency and assess the impact of robotic adoption on productivity. A case study approach was utilized, involving data collection through questionnaires and interviews with industry professionals, and analysis using SPSS software for correlation, relative importance index, validity, and reliability tests. The results revealed that 66.6 % of respondents were aware of robotics in construction, and 87 % agreed on its productivity benefits. High internal consistency was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.943. The findings underscore the necessity for the construction industry to embrace Industrial Revolution (IR) 5.0, which combines automation and collaborative robots with human skills to enhance quality outputs. The conclusion emphasizes the potential of robotics to improve construction efficiency, advocating for further research to refine the proposed framework and explore additional technologies to augment productivity. Future directions include the development of more comprehensive models to facilitate the integration of advanced robotics in construction.