Towards human–robot collaboration in construction: current cobot trends and forecasts

Burden, A; Caldwell, GA; Guertler, M

Towards human–robot collaboration in construction: current cobot trends and forecasts

Burden, A Caldwell, GA Guertler, M

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Publisher:: Springer Nature
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Construction Robotics, 2022, pp. 1-12
Issue Date:: 2022-12-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Burden, A
dc.contributor.author	Caldwell, GA
dc.contributor.author	Guertler, M https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7062-6349
dc.date.accessioned	2023-01-20T11:02:22Z
dc.date.available	2023-01-20T11:02:22Z
dc.date.issued	2022-12-02
dc.identifier.citation	Construction Robotics, 2022, pp. 1-12
dc.identifier.issn	2509-811X
dc.identifier.issn	2509-8780
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165314
dc.description.abstract	Collaborative robots, or cobots, provide opportunities for their use in a range of complex scenarios in different industries, including construction. As a variant of industrial robots commonly used in automation, cobots incorporate inbuilt safety measures, lower costs, and easier operator programming. This article questions the state of recent peer-reviewed research regarding the uptake and implementation of collaborative robotics in the construction industry. A ‘horizon scanning’ review of literature is presented in this article to uncover recent trends and forecasts in cobotics research specific to the construction industry. The horizon scan targets examples of human–robot collaboration (HRC) and other human–robot interactions (HRI) focussed on construction tasks. By examining where HRC has been applied in construction, we identify which drivers, ena- blers, and barriers that influence the future of construction cobots. Human-readable task models coupled with vision systems, such as augmented reality or haptic feedback and wearable interaction devices are strong enablers in how HRC can be better adopted. Most existing research into producing diversity in robot interaction methods for HRC prescribes to overcoming static approaches, which is well suited to answering the ever-changing nature of construction sites. On the other hand, the dynamic nature of construction sites and worker perceptions impact the uptake of new technologies in industry where cobots are often mistaken for highly automated industrial arms. Based on these findings, the need to build trust through successful use cases and case studies that demonstrate successful outcomes and productivity evaluations are necessary to overcome the barriers to cobot adoption in the construction industry.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Nature
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/IC200100001
dc.relation.ispartof	Construction Robotics
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s41693-022-00085-0
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.title	Towards human–robot collaboration in construction: current cobot trends and forecasts
dc.type	Journal Article
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CAM - Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
utslib.copyright.embargo	2024-12-02T00:00:00+1000Z
dc.date.updated	2023-01-20T11:02:20Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online

Abstract:

Collaborative robots, or cobots, provide opportunities for their use in a range of complex scenarios in different industries, including construction. As a variant of industrial robots commonly used in automation, cobots incorporate inbuilt safety measures, lower costs, and easier operator programming. This article questions the state of recent peer-reviewed research regarding the uptake and implementation of collaborative robotics in the construction industry. A ‘horizon scanning’ review of literature is presented in this article to uncover recent trends and forecasts in cobotics research specific to the construction industry. The horizon scan targets examples of human–robot collaboration (HRC) and other human–robot interactions (HRI) focussed on construction tasks. By examining where HRC has been applied in construction, we identify which drivers, ena- blers, and barriers that influence the future of construction cobots. Human-readable task models coupled with vision systems, such as augmented reality or haptic feedback and wearable interaction devices are strong enablers in how HRC can be better adopted. Most existing research into producing diversity in robot interaction methods for HRC prescribes to overcoming static approaches, which is well suited to answering the ever-changing nature of construction sites. On the other hand, the dynamic nature of construction sites and worker perceptions impact the uptake of new technologies in industry where cobots are often mistaken for highly automated industrial arms. Based on these findings, the need to build trust through successful use cases and case studies that demonstrate successful outcomes and productivity evaluations are necessary to overcome the barriers to cobot adoption in the construction industry.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/165314