“Baubot” and Other Construction Robots Learning Jobsite Trades
With the huge push towards a more automated economy already underway, the field of robotics has made significant progress in supporting construction jobs. Their impact is being felt on every aspect of the construction site, such as 3D printing and crane hire in Brisbane. With Austria’s “Baubot” robot capable of working with every tool on site, dive into the pros and cons of robotics in construction with Surf City Cranes.
The Robot Revolution in Construction
Harder, better, faster and stronger, it certainly seems that robots will revolutionise the construction industry for the better.
Lower Labour Costs
The cost of employing construction workers is one of the biggest budget items that add up the total cost of construction. Not only do robots not need to be paid or take sick leave, but they can complete tasks faster than their human counterparts. One of their biggest advantages is that, beyond the upfront cost of purchase, they will cut down labour costs over the course of their product lifespan.
Fewer Human Errors
Robots don’t make human errors because they’re not human, after all. Carrying out their tasks with mathematical accuracy and infallible memory, robots can deliver a precision that no human can truly guarantee. Minimising human error is key to minimising mistakes that delay the project or even cause damage that needs to be repaired. All of these effects add up to preventing accidents that could have blown out the project budget.
Fewer Accidents
Robots can be purpose-designed to withstand work that is dangerous for humans, such as lifting heavy loads or other hard manual labour. This frees up workers from taking part in the most arduous of tasks, freeing them up to take on supervisory roles instead.
Drawbacks of the Robot Revolution
Like any new technology, it will take time to iron out the kinks as robotics becomes more and more common. At this early stage, a number of drawbacks hinder the incorporation of robotics into the construction industry.
The Steep Price Tag
Robots come with a steep upfront price tag. Though they will pay for themselves many times over, over the course of their lifetime, first robots must be bought. At this point in time, robots for construction are very expensive. This means that robots will initially only be available for larger construction companies that have the scale and funds to invest in the most cutting edge of construction technologies.
The Need for Training
Even if it’s expensive, it’s easy to buy a robot. However, the productivity gains come from having a workforce who know how to make the best use of it. For example, no matter how complicated the software that drives the robot, its accuracy entirely depends on how well the software’s parameters parallel the real world. The initial investment into robotics will have to include training up staff to use the robot, which includes changing existing processes to incorporate the robot.
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