REMEDIES OVER BARRIERS OF AUTOMATION AND

ROBOTICS FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Paresh S Mistri1, Hiren. A. Rathod2
PG. Student, Civil Engineering, SNPIT & RC, Umrakh, Bardoli, Gujarat, India 1
Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering, SNPIT & RC, Umrakh, Bardoli, Gujarat, India2

Abstract: In construction, automation and robotics technologies implementation can be

fairly broad, including all stages of the construction life-cycle, from the initial design,
through construction of the building on site and building maintenance or control after the
building has been completed to the eventual dismantling or demolition of the building. The
degree of automation and robotics systems implementation in construction varies
significantly from one construction phase to another. Nowadays, unlike the use of
automation systems or robots for on-site operations The most significant benefits of
robotics and automation systems application in construction industry are enhancing
productivity and work efficiency with reduced costs, solid quality with higher accuracy
than that provided by skilled workers, occupational safety enhancement for workers and
better safety for the public by deploying machines for dangerous works, work environment
conditions improvement in that common manual work is reduced to a minimum, the
workers are discharged from uncomfortable work positions, etc. In this paper also mention
the barriers and remedies of automation and robotics in construction site.
Keywords: Automation, Robotics, Remedies, Barriers

I. INTRODUCTION
Automation is defined as a self-regulating process performed by using programmable
machines to carry out series of tasks. Introducing the use of machines to a production
process is called mechanization. Automation goes one step further and the process is not
only supported by machines but these machines can work in accordance with a
program that regulates the behavior of the machine. Construction automation has been
described as the use of mechanical and electronic means in construction to achieve
automatic operation or control to reduce potential exposure, time or effort while
maintaining or improving quality. Construction work is labor-intensive and is
conducted in dangerous situations, also the work content and materials change
frequently. Robots are used widely to help human workers in construction sites. This
approach demonstrates a decentralized, autonomous, flexible, simple, and adaptive
approach to construction. Therefore, construction robotics has been a very hot research
area in the construction industry. The main goal of this paper is to convince building
designers and managers to incorporate robotic systems when managing modern
buildings to save manpower and improve efficiency. In this paper, the main objective is
to discuss the obstacles and remedies over the barriers while implementing automation
technologies in Indian infrastructure projects.
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II. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN INDIA’S AUTOMOTIVE
MARKET
There is a rapidly growing domestic market. Growth is also visible in automotive export
markets. There are well trained, talented engineers and workers. Companies that aggressively
adopt leading-edge technologies and standards will have a clear competitive advantage in the
global automotive market. The importance of India and China as drivers of global growth is
well documented. For instance, in 2009, India accounted for 2 % and China 4 %, which is
projected to rise to 23 % for India and 18 % for China by 2030. India and China are also
projected to have over 50 % of global middle class spending by 2050.

III. IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOMATION AND ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES

IN ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Automation and robotics in construction work execution has various advantages that could
help the implementation of these systems. Among the most meaningful advantages belong:
i. Less dependency on direct labour – fewer problems related to quality and the
repetitiveness of work carried out, as well as costs may be reduced by reducing labour,
whereas less operators are needed for the automated system;
ii. Productivity increase – besides the speed of production increasing the productivity is
improved by disengaging the operation of the limitations of the human factor;
iii. Occupational safety increase – the automated systems may carry out their work in
dangerous zones for humans, this makes it possible to reduce labour injuries;
iv. Quality increase – operations with automated and robotized systems are typically carried
out with less variability than human workers;
v. Greater control over the productive process – problems may be detected in an easier
was as each stage of the process is controlled in order to verify the correct functioning of the
system and the result of each one;
vi. Greater control over the final result of the process – the final result may be controlled
in a more efficient way by controlling the result of each step of the aforementioned process.

IV. BARRIERS
The study revealed numerous barriers to the consideration of construction automation in the
design phase. As with the recommended design practices, the barriers can be separated into
those that exist at the project level and those are present industry-wide. Project-level barriers
are as follows:
1. Automated technology capabilities are limited and create tremendous costs when
contractors attempt to match project variability with automated equipment variability.
2. Frequent changes/advances in the technologies. Technological advancement and improved
design occur rapidly and many users cannot keep up with the changes.
3. The cost of owning and operating automated technologies.
4. A lack of standard design elements. Repetitious elements are likely to lead to greater
utilization of automated technologies.
5. “No two sites present the same problems, and a layout suitable for one site maybe quite
unsuitable for another.”
A lack of consideration of the construction phase by the designer, due to the means and
methods residing with the constructor. Other barriers exist that are not necessarily applicable
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to a specific project, but are representative of the nature and structure of the construction
industry. These industry-wide barriers are as follows:
1. Designers typically have limited construction experience. There should be pre-
construction consulting between the designer and constructor concerning cost saving
construction methods.
2. Designers typically have limited knowledge of automated technologies. There should
exist consulting between designers and constructors concerning automated technology
availability and potential implementation.
3. Designers typically have limited knowledge of the design practices, which facilitate the
use of the automated construction technologies.
4. A general lack of designer interest in considering automated technologies in their
designs.
5. The structure of, and the roles associated with, the traditional design-bid-build
contracting method. Barriers exist which limit the amount of preconstruction consulting
and communication that can occur.
6. The traditional roles and responsibilities of the designer. Traditionally the means and
methods of construction have been the responsibility of the constructor. Consequently, a
designer’s ability to influence the implementation of construction methods has gone
unused or unrecognized.
7. Resistance to change from the commonly used design practices.
8. Some designers view change as high risk, because there exists a level of uncertainty and
untested consequences. Particularly risk associated with implementing automation.
9. Conflict of interest on public projects when contractors are brought in during design.
Publicly funded projects are required to be competitively bid, limiting the pre-
construction communication between constructors and designers.
10. Lack of reference material available for designers to use for consulting.

V. REMEDIES
Remedies over the obstacles while implementing automation technologies in Indian
infrastructure projects are as follows
Remedies over High Cost: The high cost is main obstacles in implementing automation. The
automation technology is so expensive. The infrastructure construction company should
apply the automation technology for greater productivity and good quality of work. The
company should take loan from World Bank at low interest to implement the automation
technology. Indian Infrastructure Company should take loan from World Bank and Reserve
Bank of India at low interest to proper implementation of automation technology.
Government incentives should be given to contractors, builders and infrastructure companies
for using innovative approaches to construction.
Remedies over Limited Resource Available to Small and Medium Size Firms: For small
and medium size firms the resource should be available for using automation technology is
less? The funds available for implementing automation technology are less as compared to
big construction companies. To overcome from improper funding companies should tie up to
other companies to implement automation technology. They should form joint ventures to
purchase the automated technologies and use this automated technology together.

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Remedies over Automation Technologies are Expensive to Update and Maintain: The
remedies over automation technologies to update and maintain are getting loan from World
Bank and the automation should be properly used and maintained. The automation
technology should be updated and maintained tie to time for proper working operation. It
should increases the productivity of machines or project.
Remedies over Automation Technologies are Unavailable Locally or Difficult to
Acquire: The automation technologies are unavailable locally or difficult to acquire, the
company should get in joint ventures with company uses this automated technologies and get
the technology from somewhere else.
Remedies over low technological knowledge to workers: The technologies are not as easily
accepted by worker. They have no knowledge about automation technologies. Considering
the re-training of construction workers, to supervise maintain and programmed the
technologies are not seen as a way to replace the worker. The training can be incorporated
through a set of necessary upgrading skills for semi-skilled worker or through seminars and
workshops. Change in education and training of construction professionals, this is relevant if
there is to be increased understanding of the technologies in the industry and on the
worksites.

CONCLUSION
Robots are increasingly involved in construction operations to maintain highly accurate
actions and to reduce hazardous risks achieving improved control and safety. Automated
construction can be further developed to include: design, engineering, maintenance of
existing and planned structures. As the main objective of this paper is to state remedies over
the barriers in implementing automation technologies in Indian Infrastructure Projects and
Construction Firms.

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