Collaborative Robots and the Future of Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
OVERVIEW The future of Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction is being influenced significantly by the rise of collaborative robots. These efficient and dependable robotic systems are introducing a whole new level of productivity, risk mitigation, and operational refinement. Key statistics reflect this overwhelming trend: The collaborative robot market is expected to reach $12,303 million by 2025 growing at a CAGR of 50.02% from 2018 to 2025. Additionally, up to 60% of tasks in some construction processes could potentially be automated, leading to an efficiency boost of up to 50% with the adoption of collaborative robots.
THE RISE OF COLLABORATIVE ROBOTS IN HEAVY AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION The adoption of collaborative robots, or "cobots", is rapidly transforming the heavy and civil engineering construction industry. Cobots have brought forth unprecedented benefits such as improved efficiency, accuracy, and safety on construction sites. According to the International Federation of Robotics, global adoption of cobots is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50.02% from 2018 to 2025, with the market value reaching a staggering $12,303 million by 2025.
AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES The large scale adoption of cobots in construction processes is increasing rapidly, primarily due its potential for automation. The McKinsey Global Institute reported that up to 60% of tasks involved in some construction processes can be automated. Consequently, companies that have embraced this technological revolution have gained a significant competitive edge, reporting improved productivity and efficiency.
BOOSTING EFFICIENCY WITH COLLABORATIVE ROBOTS The strength of cobots lies in their ability to work collaboratively with human operators in shared workplaces. Furthermore, they enhance operational efficiency. Various case studies have indicated an efficiency boost of up to 50% after the deployment of cobots in the construction industry. This revolution is emphasised by the increasing interest in robotics on a global scale. According to a PwC analysis, businesses are investing approximately $5.4 billion in robotics solutions each year.
KEY TAKEAWAYS • The global market for collaborative robots is expected to reach $12,303 million by 2025. • Up to 60% of tasks in some construction processes can be automated. • The implementation of collaborative robots in construction processes can yield up to a 50% boost in operational efficiency. • Business investment in robotics solutions is approximated at $5.4 billion per annum.
3LAWS ROBOTICS Valuable support to the above use-cases is offered by 3Laws Robotics, with innovative software designed to enhance safety and reliability for robotics systems. Their focus is on addressing the certification challenge, a fundamental pain point for many robotics companies. 3Laws Supervisor, their primary software solution, offers strong safety features and proof of system robustness, significantly easing the certification process. Base technology is Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), developed at Caltech, claiming to offer a mathematically proven safety.
Several industries already benefit from 3Laws technology. In warehouse automation, one autonomous forklift client achieved 40% efficiency gains, leading to a 6-month payback. In terms of human-robot interaction, 3Laws' software enables safe and continuous operation of robots near humans, directly addressing the growing need for collaborative robotics solutions. In unpredictable surroundings, reactive collision avoidance capabilities enable effective navigation.
3Laws Robotics enables robots to operate near their peak capabilities whilst maintaining safety, minimising unnecessary downtime. Their software is adaptable, working on a wide range of platforms and compatible with popular robotics middleware like ROS and ROS2. 3Laws Robotics can be seen as a next-gen safety solution that goes beyond traditional e-stop methods, offering proactive safety that can unlock the full potential of robotics with dynamic, predictive safety that can be safety certified for international standards like ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.