Opportunities challenges and roadmap for humanoid robots in construction

Abstract

The construction industry faces pressing challenges, including persistent labor shortages, hazardous working conditions, and stagnating productivity gains. Simultaneously, the field of humanoid robotics has matured from early experimental platforms to advanced systems capable of dynamic locomotion, dexterous manipulation, and partial autonomy. This paper examines how humanoid robots, with anthropomorphic designs suited to human-centric environments, might revolutionize future construction processes. The unique challenges of construction humanoid robots are outlined such as perceptual robustness, adaptive locomotion, human-level dexterity, continual learning, and human-robot collaboration. In addition, non-technical perspectives that could affect the adoption and implementation of humanoid robots in construction are discussed such as workforce implications, safety and ethical considerations. These challenges may emerge when translating humanoid capabilities to active construction sites due to unstructured and dynamic settings, unpredictable task sequences, frequent interactions with human trades, and nascent regulatory frameworks. Drawing on a breadth of literature, this paper presents future milestones from near-term technical advances and to longer-term visions of scalable, fully integrated robotic ecosystems. This paper uniquely contributes a comprehensive roadmap for humanoid robot integration in construction, addressing both technical challenges like adaptive locomotion and ethical considerations such as workforce impacts. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, it aims to position humanoid robots as transformative assets for advancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the industry.