Title: Construction Industry Faces Challenges in Adopting Automation, Slowing Growth and Environmental Initiatives
The global construction industry is struggling to embrace automation, hindering its potential for growth and the adoption of green initiatives. While other sectors, such as automotive, have readily embraced the robot revolution, construction lags behind.
According to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, the productivity of the construction industry has seen minimal growth over the past few decades. However, the study suggests that by taking action in areas such as reshaping regulations, improving procurement and supply-chain management, and infusing digital technology, productivity could increase by 60-70%.
One major obstacle to embracing automation in construction is the slow digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector. These SMEs make up over 90% of Europe’s construction ecosystem, employing approximately 25 million people and generating a significant contribution to the EU’s economy. However, they face challenges such as limited investment capacity, the need for extensive employee training, and the cultural shift required to adopt digital innovation in a traditionally conservative industry.
While there is strong interest among European policymakers in supporting the digitalization of construction, progress has been slower than desired. Only 16 out of 27 EU Member States have policies specifically targeting the digitalization of the construction sector.
Several EU-funded projects are aiming to address this issue and mainstream digital innovation in construction to boost productivity. For example, the Beeyonders project in León, Spain, is testing the use of drones and remote-controlled robots for tunnel excavation. These technologies can significantly reduce unproductive downtime and improve productivity in this crucial aspect of construction.
Another project involves the use of digital twin technology and artificial intelligence functionality in the construction of the A24 motorway near Florence, Italy. Drones transmit information on terrain conditions, allowing construction managers to plan tasks more efficiently and reduce CO2 emissions.
As the construction sector plays a key role in implementing the EU Green Deal, the European Commission has presented a transition pathway to guide the sector’s green and digital transition. The challenge now is to invest in workforce training to facilitate the implementation of innovative solutions that can bring added value to SMEs in the construction sector.
However, despite the efforts made, significant obstacles such as regulatory constraints and economic issues continue to hinder the full implementation of automation in construction. For example, the Robot & Artificial Intelligence Museum (RAIM) in Seoul, which was initially planned to showcase robotic construction methodologies, faced regulatory obstacles and economic challenges. As a result, the opening of the museum has been delayed until the second half of 2024.
In conclusion, the construction industry’s struggle to embrace automation is hampering its potential for growth and the adoption of green initiatives. While there is growing interest among policymakers to support digitalization in the sector, challenges such as slow adoption by SMEs and regulatory barriers pose significant obstacles. However, ongoing projects and initiatives aim to overcome these challenges and pave the way for a more automated and environmentally friendly construction industry.
