Autonomy has much to offer construction and growth is predicted.

The construction sector is primed for growth in the use of autonomous and robotic vehicles. “…The time is right for autonomous and robotics to enter the construction industry to help increase productivity and ultimately profits,” reported Rohit Sawant, senior research analyst at Allied Market Research. …“Like the mining industry, where the adoption of autonomous vehicles is high currently, we expect the construction industry to replicate a similar scenario in the coming few years.”

Initial costs and amortizing of existing equipment have held back growth. But these are offset by, among other factors, productivity increases, cost reductions, enhanced management and information sharing, and the ability to overcome labor shortages and costs while improving worker safety in both urban and remote locations.

As a result, the global autonomous construction market is predicted to rise by 2.5 times from 2019 to 2027, becoming a $12 million market with a more than 15% growth rate over a similar period.

Autonomous vehicles can deploy new technology for more precise results. UAS can enhance the entire construction cycle, from pre-surveying through post-construction maintenance. Aerial imagery, AI, digital twins and building information modelling are all tools unmanned systems can bring to the construction process.

“We’ve seen unmatched interest in autonomy for construction applications, and it’s only becoming more important to add autonomous tools to the job site,” Gaurav Kikani, vice president at vehicle automation company Build Robotics, noted. “Robotics and autonomous systems help create safer, more productive job sites that will create growth and opportunity for the construction industry that we haven’t seen in decades.”