Assessment of Automation Potential for On-Site Construction Tasks

11 pages•Published: August 28, 2025

Bing Sun, Chao Mao, Wen Yi and Tingpeng Wang

Abstract

In the context of “machine substitution”, advanced automation technologies, such as construction robots, are anticipated to mitigate future labor shortages in the construction industry. However, the feasibility and urgency of automating various construction tasks differ significantly, indicating that not all tasks are suitable for automation. Given limited investment resources, it is essential to prioritize which construction tasks should be automated first. This study focuses on construction task attributes and proposes a method for assessing the automation potential of construction tasks. By comparing and analyzing multiple common construction tasks through the dimensions of safety and technology, we generate a heatmap that illustrates the automation potential of these tasks. The results of this study provide valuable insights for investment decisions in construction robots and the strategic allocation of construction tasks between human workers and robots.

Keyphrases: automation potential, construction task, ergonomic risk, task complexity

In: Jack Cheng and Yu Yantao (editors). Proceedings of The Sixth International Conference on Civil and Building Engineering Informatics, vol 22, pages 453-463.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/PDkPG
	https://doi.org/10.29007/j7n4

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ICCBEI2025:Assessment_Automation_Potential_Site,
  author    = {Bing Sun and Chao Mao and Wen Yi and Tingpeng Wang},
  title     = {Assessment of Automation Potential for On-Site Construction Tasks},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of The Sixth International Conference on Civil and Building Engineering Informatics},
  editor    = {Jack Cheng and Yu Yantao},
  series    = {Kalpa Publications in Computing},
  volume    = {22},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2515-1762},
  url       = {/publications/paper/PDkPG},
  doi       = {10.29007/j7n4},
  pages     = {453-463},
  year      = {2025}}

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