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The Construction Labor Crunch
The U.S. construction industry is experiencing a significant labor shortage, affecting a wide range of roles within the industry, from skilled tradespeople to managerial positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of Q3 2023, there were approximately 375,000 unfilled positions in the construction sector, with about 5.5% of job openings unfilled.
Industry surveys conducted in 2023 found that the vast majority of contractors (85%, according to the Associated General Contractors of America) were finding it difficult to fill hourly skilled labor positions. And the Home Builders Institute reported that 55% of builders surveyed were experiencing project delays due to labor shortages.
Skilled trade workers—carpenters, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, welders, masons, and concrete workers—are in the shortest supply. Even unskilled positions are hard to fill, impacting basic construction tasks and overall project efficiency.
Multiple factors are contributing to the labor shortage in construction, such as:
- Baby Boomer retirements
- Decline in vocational training
- Lack of interest among young people
- Policies limiting immigrant labor
- Post-pandemic increase in demand for construction
- Government-funded infrastructure spending
Many of the current efforts to mitigate the impact of the labor shortage focus on bringing younger generations and underrepresented groups into the construction workforce. At the same time, the construction industry is increasingly adopting robotics and automation technologies to address the labor shortage, with additional benefits in terms of safety and enhanced productivity.
Current State of Robotics for Construction
While robotics in construction is not as mature as in manufacturing or automotive industries, significant advancements have been made in recent years. These technologies are transforming various aspects of construction, from on-site operations to off-site fabrication. Key ways in which robotics and automation are being used in the construction industry are described below.
- Autonomous heavy equipment including self-driving excavators, bulldozers, and trucks use GPS, LiDAR, and advanced sensors to perform tasks with minimal human intervention.
- Robotic bricklaying and masonry equipment can lay bricks six times faster than a human worker with a high degree of precision, improving productivity and reducing physical strain on workers as well as reducing the need for human labor.
- 3D printing technology is being used successfully to produce 3D-printed homes and structures, as well as for creating custom components and fixtures with high precision.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) equipped with high-resolution cameras and LiDAR sensors provide accurate topographical data for site surveying, progress monitoring, inspection, and safety monitoring.
- Robots enable remote-controlled demolition tasks in hazardous environments and handle other tasks requiring high precision, such as cutting concrete and steel.
- Robotic exoskeletons and wearables help workers lift heavy objects and reduce fatigue as well as the risk of injury.
- There are also robots that automate the labor-intensive task of tying rebar for concrete reinforcement.
- Robots are used in off-site modular construction, performing welding, cutting, and assembly tasks for precision fabrication in controlled factory environments.
These and similar robotics applications can mitigate the impact of skilled labor shortages by automating repetitive and physically demanding tasks while also yielding other significant benefits for construction companies. There are, however, some challenges to their adoption.
Challenges to Robotics Adoption in Construction
Small and medium-sized construction firms can find the cost of purchasing and implementing robotic systems prohibitive. Additionally, they may be intimidated by the technical complexity of adopting robotics, which requires specialized skills to operate and maintain. Another concern shared by many smaller construction businesses is the need to adapt workflows to incorporate robotics, which can be disruptive and may be resisted by workers fearing the loss of their jobs.
How to Get Started with Construction Robotics
Construction companies of any size can employ certain strategies to pave the way for fully embracing robotics. There’s no need to eat the elephant in one bite, as the saying goes. Starting small with small-scale pilot projects is a good way to test the feasibility and benefits of robotics. It’s wise to choose a specific task or process where robotics can make an immediate impact. Large upfront costs can be avoided by starting with basic automation and gradually making incremental investments in affordable robotic tools or equipment that can scale with the company’s growth.
It may also make sense to look into collaborative robots, (cobots), which are designed to work alongside human workers without extensive safety barriers. They are typically easier to program and integrate into existing workflows and can be acquired for a lower price than fully autonomous robots. Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) is another option. RaaS involves outsourcing robotics operations to another company that provides robotics services on a usage basis. This can ease the financial burden of robotics adoption by turning capital expenses into operational expenses and eliminating the need for in-house robotics expertise.
An Unexpected Advantage
Robotics can take up some of the slack when there is a labor shortage. But while the adoption of robotics offers a viable and innovative solution to the ongoing shortage of skilled workers, it can also provide a competitive edge in recruitment and hiring. Emphasizing the use of advanced technology can attract skilled workers interested in robotics and automation. Ultimately, robotics paves the way for a more sustainable and resilient construction sector that can meet the demands of the future.
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