How Robotics Will Change The Construction Industry
In the age of intelligent automation, the construction industry is one of the least automated in the world. It still relies on manual-intensive labour and is reliant on human resources as a primary source of productivity. Whether it is new construction, renovation or demolition, robotics has not been employed by construction companies to automate any part of the process.
However, the early adopters of robotics in the construction industry are waking up to its benefits and using precision robots to revolutionise the industry. Here’s how.
Robots can reduce monotonous tasksLike we mentioned earlier, the construction industry is one of the least automated industries and still relies heavily on manual labour. Constructing or renovating anything involves daunting, risky and monotonous physical labour. With the employment of robotics, however, you can reduce human dependency by a lot.
Be it constructing walls, laying bricks or transporting material within the construction site, robotics can truly make a difference in accuracy, precision and quickness. For example, a bricklaying robot can be built with vacuum grippers that can effectively determine the differences in blocks and manipulate them to place them accurately next to each other.
Robotic systems can also be used to dispense concrete on the job site. Robots can adjust in height and can carry much more weight than labourers. This makes it easy for concrete to be laid vertically to form a structure. This would be similar to the process of applying adhesive but with a much heavier load of concrete.
Robots can drastically improve efficiencyEver since a few Japanese construction companies have started using robotics for welding in construction sites, the welding time has dropped drastically. The robot was a simple two six-axis robot that can weld structural steel for buildings.
The I beams are cut and then welded before being delivered to the construction site. Even the holes for plumbing and electrical systems are cut into the beams through accurate robotic automation. After the cuts are made, the robots can effortlessly attach a unique part number to the respective beams.
This removes the need for major welding on the construction sites and can also reduce the amount of time it takes to complete the construction since steel jobs can be one of the most time-consuming ones in the process of constructing a building.
At MCI Robotics, we are always looking for ways to develop novel robotic solutions for advanced needs. For more information on how we can help you with construction bots, get in touch with us now.