Technology is helping the construction industry transform by helping with automation, including intelligence assistance, equipment automation, and teleoperation. Examples of these technologies include light detection and ranging or LiDAR, cameras, autonomous excavator systems, and remote machinery control. What do we know about the companies adopting these technologies? What size are they? What industry sectors are they in? Which projects are suited to automation? What barriers to adopting these innovative technologies exist? These are the questions that authors Usman Rasheed, Cavin Ordaz, Xiaohong Xu, Yuqing Hu, Shuai Li, Todd Sutton, and Jiannan Cai explore in their recent paper “Understanding the Impact of Teleoperation Technology on the Construction Industry: Adoption Dynamics, Workforce Perception, and the Role of Broader Workforce Participation,” for the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.
The authors delve into adoption of equipment automation technologies, with a particular focus on teleoperation (the remote-control operation of machinery). The benefit of teleoperation is its ability to bridge the gap between manual operation and full automation – improving safety and minimizing risks. It also opens construction roles to individuals previously excluded due to physical constraints, which could transform the construction workforce. This research explores the company characteristics behind teleoperations adoption, how demographics play a role, and the intersection of gender differences. Learn more about the actionable insights revealed in this study and how they can improve practice and policy in the construction industry at https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-16433. The abstract is below.
Abstract
The construction industry is undergoing a transformative shift with the integration of advanced technologies such as teleoperation, which holds the potential to significantly enhance operational practices and workforce dynamics. This research delves into the adoption of equipment automation technologies within the construction industry, focusing on the critical role of teleoperation. By identifying the key benefits and barriers associated with the adoption of teleoperation, the study underscores its necessity for advancing industry practices. Additionally, it provides insights into the diverse factors that influence technology acceptance and integration. Employing a mixed methodology approach, including semistructured interviews with industry experts and a comprehensive survey of 220 construction professionals, the study identifies key factors influencing the adoption of teleoperation and other equipment automation technologies. The analysis reveals significant organizational characteristics such as company size, sector, and project type that affect technology adoption strategies. Additionally, the study highlights the demographics and gender-specific differences in perceptions of adopting teleoperation, with women expressing greater concerns about job security and safety, while men focus on operational efficiency and performance. Despite the evident benefits of teleoperation, including enhanced worker safety and improved efficiency, significant barriers persist, such as high costs, technological readiness, and fears of labor replacement. The findings suggest that teleoperation has the potential to diversify the workforce by making construction roles more accessible to underrepresented groups. The study concludes with practical recommendations for stakeholders, including developing inclusive teleoperation systems, fostering industrywide collaboration, and advancing diversity and inclusion to encourage widespread adoption and create a safer, more efficient, and inclusive construction environment.
Learn more about the benefits of teleoperation and how can it improve construction safety and expand opportunity in the ASCE Library: https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-16433.
