Revolutionize Construction with Robots and Technology

Latest Update August 29, 2023

Japan's construction industry is shaping a new landscape by integrating material handling robots and IoT technologies on job sites. With the aim of closing the labor shortage gap, there is hope for a 20% productivity boost

2 August 2023 - Construction RX Consortium in Japan, an alliance of 29 general contractors and 194 companies, is stepping into practical innovation. With a focus on construction support tools powered by robots and IoT (Internet of Things) tech, they're addressing the challenges that construction sites face, like worker shortages and evolving work styles.

Automating material transport is at the heart of this transformation. They're reimagining how workers can concentrate on high-skilled tasks by having systems and robots deliver materials precisely where and when needed. Their aim: a 20% productivity boost, as calculated through trials.

Key to this progress are Takenaka Corporation's “Construction Robot Platform” and Kashima's “Automated Transportation Management System.” These collaborate with transfer robots and temporary elevators like Takenaka's “Squiny” and Shimizu Corporation's “Robo-Carrier.” After rigorous testing and refining, their vision is to provide a framework adaptable to any contractor.

Their pace quickens as blend diverse technologies. In 2022, the subcommittee began linking existing systems and robots. Already, they've achieved systems where robots load, call elevators, and unload materials on-site. Verification is complete, with summer trials on the horizon. Issues of inefficiency and cost are being swiftly tackled.

Still, challenges remain. Integrating with 3D modeling technology, known as “BIM,” for architecture needs resolution. Their delivery robots sidestep map creation, yet extracting the necessary data from BIM for automated navigation requires time and investment.

The future holds promise as they explore the impact of automated transport. We're analyzing how this evolution affects the productivity of workers, from those handling materials to elevator operators. The benefits of a unified system or robot are also under scrutiny. Our goal: is to visualize how this dynamic shift enhances construction productivity, influencing the future of automatic transport systems.