The boon of robotics and automation has been particularly significant within industries like industrial cleaning, commercial infrastructure maintenance, construction, and excavation.

Robotic automation has shaped how people work and has simplified, at least partly, repetitive or physically demanding jobs.

Today, rising material prices and labor shortages have made it difficult for contractors to stay profitable, and robotics innovations are a welcome solution to problems faced by many of the industry’s leaders.

Current polls estimate that over 60% of construction and industrial contracting companies will implement robotic systems to help automate processes, enhance safety conditions, and reduce overhead on certain projects.

How and Why Robotics in Construction Are Essential

From speeding project timelines to enhancing safety protocols, construction robotics has fundamentally altered buildings and infrastructure.

The Why

Trends in the purchasing decisions of major contracting groups have solidified construction robotics’ long-term value. With rising costs and a shortage of labor, modern contractors invest in robots to support their companies. Benefits include: 

1. A massive increase in productivity
2. Significant reduction in operational costs
3. Enhanced safety and compliance

The How

From working with rebar, making demolition jobs faster and safer, and even doing effective site surveys in record time, robotic automation lends itself to many applications, which we’ll list in detail further down in this piece. 

If you’re unfamiliar with construction robotics, it’s a pretty big world, so we’ll ease you in. But it’s a world that you’ll need to consider fast. 

The fact is that trends in the purchasing decisions of major contracting groups have solidified construction robotics’ long-term value. 

According to statistics from Mordor Intelligence, the market is expected to reach USD 383.11 million by the end of 2024. It’s also anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.5%—meaning it would reach USD 787.48 million in just five to seven years. 

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Let’s explore why the major contractors responsible for this exponential rise are eager to adopt robotics into their operations.

The Evolution of Robotics in Construction

The development of robotics in the construction industry started with relatively primitive automated systems. Over time, machines have progressed in sophistication to allow them to perform complex jobs. 

Initially, robots were primarily used for monotonous and dangerous activities—think plastering or tiling. Now, the introduction of artificial intelligence and machine learning has expanded the capabilities of construction robotics equipment to perform impressively complex and detailed tasks.

In 2024, many machines can employ real-time decision-making algorithms, and, in some cases, can even cooperate and work with operators.

We are now in what many call the fourth industrial age, and robots will set the tone for the success and sustainability of the construction industry.

Integrating Robotics into Construction Projects

Are you thinking of incorporating robotics into your operation? A high-level approach consists of:

1. Assessment: Evaluate your current operations to identify jobs that can be automated.
2. Thorough research: Proper due diligence can help find competitive products with market review and productivity. Market research allows you to explore options and invest in the right solution.
3. Training: Train your team extensively to work alongside robots, understand their functionalities, and maximize their applications for the best ROI. 
4. Implementation: Gradually introduce robots into your workflow—every change doesn’t have to happen simultaneously. Start with more straightforward tasks before moving on to more extensive applications.
5. Evaluation: Closely monitor the performance and efficacy of the robots and adjust as needed.

For a deep dive into implementation, this research article from Frontiers goes into incredible detail.

Current Applications for Robotic Construction Equipment

Whether building, demolishing, or excavating, robotic equipment can automate the more grueling, tedious, and dangerous parts of the job. While the upfront cost might cause you to panic, consider the host of short-term and long-term benefits like:

• Increased efficiency
• Reduced labor costs
• Enhanced scalability
• Adaptability
• Greater precision
• Resistance to extreme conditions

These advantages apply to the many construction applications we’ll be listing below. 

Excavation and Industrial Cleaning

With the help of systems like mini-robot excavators and mini hydro-vac systems, contractors can overcome many of the dangers of manual excavation and industrial cleaning. 

In a LinkedIn Pulse posted this past March, Market.us listed some staggering industry projections. In particular, there will be an estimated 40% growth in autonomous mobile robots used in on-site logistics, transportation, and construction.

Now, contracting companies can better streamline their efforts with a smaller workforce, creating a more skilled and effective unit to manage job sites.

Welding and Fabrication

These robots handle complex industrial welding operations that require great consistency and accuracy and are difficult for human laborers to maintain over a long period of time. 

With welding and fabrication automation, industrial construction projects can:

• Achieve consistent quality
• Control material waste
• Optimize production space
• Increase productivity

Many teams work with semi-autonomous robots, which work in tandem with a skilled welder and handle the more repetitive tasks while their human counterpart focuses on more complex tasks.

Demolitions

From demolishing a structure to cleaning up afterward, virtually every part of the demolition process benefits from robotic automation.

Remote-controlled robots can safely navigate dangerous places where workers can’t go, allowing for easy dismantling without any harm. 

This includes tasks such as: 

• Breaking concrete
• Cutting steel
• Removing debris with more control and accuracy

How effective are these AMRs? In 2021, a contractor using its first remote demolition robot removed a pool from the tiny basement of a 125-year-old YMCA. They kept their workers safe and completed the project ahead of time and 25% under budget.

Material Handling

Evaluating hazards and risks in the workplace, automated material handling systems, including robot cranes and forklifts, are increasingly important to modern contractors.

Walmart Canada ambitiously plans to increase the speed at which products are moved from trailers into the facility by 90% using AMRs (automated mobile robots). Realistically, this means they can reduce friction and potentially double the number of orders they can fulfill, all while upskilling their workforce.

Material handling robotics has great potential in a number of fields including construction, warehouse automation, industrial cleaning, and manufacturing.

The Benefits of Automation and Robotics for Industrial Cleaning Contractors

As shown in the examples above, construction robotics and automation products boast various benefits of Automation for the industry. For industrial cleaning contractors, teams can take advantage of a host of advantages for their workers and their bottom line. They include:

Safety and injury prevention

Using data from early adopters in robotics, a study found that the use of robots reduced worker injuries by 1.7 per 100 workers. If these numbers have stayed the same, the estimated cost savings for this reduction is in the low billions.

Increased productivity

For some industrial cleaning applications, robots can work 24/7 when workers can focus solely on tasks that only humans can do, leaving automatable jobs to their mechanical counterparts.

Consistent quality 

Construction robotics change how team leaders organize and execute on-site work. The increase in the flexibility offered by automation helps industrial cleaners put more emphasis on consistent quality rather than focusing on completing labor-heavy milestones on a given project. 

Cost and scalability

Modern contracting teams supported by robotics consistently complete projects under budget and ahead of time estimates. This alone increases the number of jobs companies can bid on, and decreases their overall base costs, increasing their margins.

Beyond the specific benefits of robotics in industrial cleaning might be less obvious at first: they open up the opportunity for more people to work in the industry, and for longer. 

As DPR Construction robotics lead Henning Roedel explained at a 2024 Power of Robotics in Construction education session: “Just because you’re in a wheelchair it doesn’t mean you can’t operate a robot.” 

With injuries, decades-long gaps in productivity, and a record shortage of labor, Roedel explained that these tools are vital to the industry.

On supporting workers in the industry, he described robotics as “creating opportunities for those who have bodies that are no longer able to work in our industry, but they still want to contribute.”

As construction robotics have shown in many cases to increase employee retention and encourage upskilling. 

Mini-robot Excavators: A Highlight

Mini-robot excavators are among the most promising additions to construction robotics. 

These compact machines are designed for excavation tasks in confined spaces, making them perfect for industrial cleaning jobs that require removing hazardous materials. Despite their small size, they are mighty and versatile.

Using Mini Robot Excavators at Industrial Cleaning Sites

Mini robot excavators are ideal for job sites where space is limited. These remote-controlled excavators are perfect for No-Man Entry operations and contaminated hazardous areas. They allow workers to minimize risk while performing potentially dangerous operations.

Mini excavators are changing the game to facilitate easy digging access in tight spaces. One standout in this category is the Gatto RC Mini Excavator. 

The Gatto boasts excellent functionality, power, and versatility, perfect for confined spaces that need power and flexibility. 

With this AMR, operators can dig and remove debris in hard-to-reach areas with far more ease, speed, and accuracy. Its remote functionality allows operators to manage tasks from a safe distance, further enhancing safety and efficiency.

The Power of Self-Loading E-Track

Another revolutionary piece of equipment making waves in the construction industry is the self-loading E-track, which can be used with mini excavators. 

The self-loading arrangement easily lifts and carries material before moving backward to the material discharging point. The equipment’s rear-mounted tipper can be loaded under a shallow vertical clearance and even automatically discharged by remote control.

The advantages of this technology are many, and include:

• Minimizing the need for additional equipment or manual labor
• Reducing material spillage
• Increasing overall efficiency on-site

Ideal for pipes and culverts, tight quarters, live conveyors, and no-man entry, the self-loading e-track is undoubtedly a game-changer in the construction industry. 

Innovations in Mini Robotic Vacuums - Lombrico XXS

The need to maximize on-site contractors' efficiency has led to incredible strides in robotic equipment. The once daunting task of industrial cleanup, especially in confined or inaccessible areas.

With the Lombrico XXS, industrial contractors can fully customize the robot for the site’s requirements including extensions and power.

Excelling in vacuuming in confined spaces taking on jobs that increase on site risk of injury to human teams, this robot vacuum increases productivity while lowering overhead and job completion timelines.

Applications in Industrial Cleaning

Lombrico robotic vacuums offer extreme flexibility across the demands of industrial cleaning including:

• Confined space debris removal
• Tank cleaning
• Pipe and tunnel access
• No-man access

Explore Construction Robotics with FS Solutions

The impact of robotics on the construction industry will be felt worldwide. Innovations like mini excavators and self-loading E-tracks are revolutionizing how we approach construction projects. 

Now is the time to embrace this change and explore the endless possibilities that construction robotics offers.

For over 120 years, Federal Signal has used its collective experience in industrial manufacturing to support U.S. companies and contractors with quality equipment. 

At FS Solutions Group, we rent, sell, and train personnel on a wide range of industrial cleaning equipment, including industrial vacuum trucks, water blast equipment, and vacuum excavation trucks. 

Connect with us today to learn more or call 1-800-822-8785 to schedule a demo.