Automation in the construction industry

The effective use of automation is one of the greatest opportunities, as well as one of the greatest challenges, facing the construction industry. The major components of an automation strategy, as considered in this paper, are computer-aided engineering and design (CAE/CAD), computerized data bases, feedback of as-built data, automated materials handling, artificial intelligence, and robotics. This paper first describes the current state of the art of robotics in construction and of artificial intelligence in its future role as the guidance mechanism in robots and its current stand-alone role in the form of expert systems. Then it discusses the central role of the computerized project data base in the integration of project design, construction, and operation. In addition, the paper examines the benefits from the increased use of information technology and automation in construction, the institutional barriers to the development and introduction of this technology by the U.S. construction industry, and the technologies that need to be developed in order to implement successfully computer technology in construction.