=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-2394/paper037
|storemode=property
|title=Skills Assessment for Robotics in Construction Education
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2394/paper37.pdf
|volume=Vol-2394
|authors=Fopefoluwa Bademosi,Ralph Tayeh,Raja R. A. Issa
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/egice/BademosiTI18
}}
==Skills Assessment for Robotics in Construction Education==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2394/paper37.pdf
Skills Assessment for Robotics in Construction Education
Fopefoluwa M. Bademosi, Ralph Tayeh, Raja R.A. Issa
University of Florida, USA
mofoluwaso@ufl.edu
Abstract. The construction industry is considered one of the least digitized industries around with
most of its processes being repetitive and labor-intensive. However, recently, the industry has
witnessed an upsurge in the volume of new technologies implemented in practice. One prospective
opportunity for innovative technologies in construction is the implementation of robotics and
automation technologies. With these disruptive technologies being implemented in the industry,
there is a need to improve pedagogic methods to address the changing demands of the workforce
and equip new employees with the abilities required to drive construction robotics processes. The
principal purpose of this research is to examine the current applications of robotics technologies in
the construction industry in order to identify the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)
construction students must possess to perform in the future workforce successfully. This paper
presents the background of construction robotics, the research framework and initial assessment of
essential KSAs.
1. Introduction
In recent years, the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) industry has
witnessed an increase in the volume of new technologies implemented in practice, and the
development of innovative technological solutions has evolved to make an impact on the
industry as a whole. One prospective opportunity for innovative technologies in construction is
the implementation of robotics and automation, which is the application of autonomous
machines that carry out construction tasks and operations automatically through intelligent
programming and controls (Kamaruddin et al. 2016). Robotics has been introduced into the
construction industry as a solution to its productivity problem since the 1960s (Bock 2007).
Presently, many advanced technologies are being employed in the field of construction robotics,
such as unmanned aerial systems, laser scanning, virtual and augmented reality, autonomous
and robotic systems, additive manufacturing, and mobile computing (Oesterreich and
Teuteberg 2016). Some of these technologies have already been widely applied while some are
just emerging into the market. Consequently, construction companies are increasingly
incorporating these advanced construction technologies integrated with a central platform of
connected building information modeling (BIM) on construction projects (Oesterreich and
Teuteberg 2016).
With these disruptive technologies being implemented in the AECO industry, there is a need to
improve the pedagogic methods in training and education to address the changing demands of
the workforce. Furthermore, in the face of troubling skilled labor shortages, it is crucial for new
recruits to join the construction workforce with the skills and exposure to technologies to drive
construction robotics processes and higher levels of precision in construction. Therefore, it is
imperative to teach construction robotics and automation to AECO students in institutions of
higher learning in order to expose them to advanced construction technologies and equip them
with the necessary inter-disciplinary skills and abilities required to thrive in the workforce of
the industrialized era. The primary purpose of this research is to identify and examine the
current applications of robotics technologies in the construction industry in order to identify the
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essential knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) construction students must possess to perform
in the future workforce successfully. Therefore, the two main objectives of this study are to:
1. Identify the current technology trends and applications of robotics and automation in
the construction industry.
2. Determine the perceived critical construction robotics KSAs required to perform
construction robotics tasks in the industry.
2. Literature Review
With most of its processes being monotonous and labor-intensive, the construction industry
remains one of the least digitized industries around. The industry still operates traditionally,
resulting in relatively low productivity when compared to other industrial sectors. The industry
calls for more efficient construction companies, effectual and practical construction processes,
and advanced construction methods to productively contend for relevance under the pressure
of growing urbanization, globalization, technological innovations, and industry competition in
the twenty-first century (World Economic Forum 2016). One of the primary problems the
construction industry is facing is the stagnant levels of productivity (Barbosa et al. 2017).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018), the productivity levels in the construction
have been on a decline for the past few years when compared to other mature industries, such
as the manufacturing industry. The adoption of modern, innovative technologies and processes
is very critical for the industry, as an improvement in productivity will have a significant impact
on the global economy. Another major challenge associated with the construction industry is
the skilled labor shortages, which has sustained a recurrent cyclic trend for the past thirty years
(Karimi et al. 2018).
A promising opportunity to improve the productivity, safety, and quality aspects of the
construction industry lies in the implementation of innovative robotics and automation
technologies Construction robots are intelligent machines operated by smart controls with a
variable range in levels of sophistication, and are generally intended to enhance speed and boost
the precision of construction processes (Buswell et al. 2007). Construction automation is the
application of automated and computerized techniques in construction to perform mechanical
operations aimed at reducing time, labor intensity, and risk of exposure to harm, while at the
same time preserving and even enhancing the quality of the finished products (Hewitt and
Gambatese 2002). Both the terms robotics and automation have been broadly recognized in the
construction industry and customarily describe mechanization, unmanned processes, and
robotization of construction tasks and processes (Kamaruddin et al. 2016). Therefore, the
definition of construction robotics and automation can be synthesized as the application of
autonomous machines that carry out construction tasks and operations automatically through
intelligent programming and controls.
2.1 Construction Robotics Technologies
The progression in digital technology encountered in several mature industries over the past
decade has transformed these industries, thus leading them into a new technological era
identified as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as the era of industrialization
(Schwab 2017). The term of Industry 4.0 has been used as a concept to describe new
developments in manufacturing, and it has been deemed reasonable to use the Industry 4.0
technology as a benchmark to identify the advanced technologies ushering in the era of
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digitization and industrialization in the construction industry (Oesterreich and Teuteberg 2016).
To present the Industry 4.0 technologies in construction effectively, Oesterreich and Teuteberg
(2016) completed a content analysis review of several articles. The review method required a
broad search of articles by applying the keywords ‘Industry 4.0’ and ‘construction.’ The results
of the study by Oesterreich and Teuteberg (2016) comprised almost all the leading-edge topics
in construction robotics, besides laser scanning. In addition, some of the technologies identified
are similar or belong to the same technical sphere. Accordingly, similar technologies are
grouped, and the final identified construction robotics technologies are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Trends in current construction robotics research
Construction robotics technologies
Laser Scanners
Reality computing technology Rovers
Unmanned Aerial Systems
Augmented Reality
Simulation technology Mixed Reality
Virtual Reality
Additive Manufacturing
Autonomous Vehicles
Automation technology
Prefabrication and Modularization
Robotics systems
Artificial Intelligence
Big Data
Cloud computing
Smart Technology Cyber-Physical Systems
Human-Computer Interaction
Internet of Things (IoT)
Radio-Frequency Identification
2.2 Applications of Robotics Technologies in Construction
Significant efforts to automate aspects of the construction process and enhance efficiency in the
industry have been prevalent since the nineteenth century, as seen in the various manifestation
of large and technologically complex construction like long-span bridges (Romero et al. 2014).
Construction activities that employed the use of pieces of machinery as an alternative to human
labor were new modes of mechanization in construction. By the end of 1970, robotic equipment
with the abilities to lay masonry blocks were developed, and by late 1980, there was a growing
demand for construction robots in Japan (Kamaruddin et al. 2016). From the review of current
literature, it is observed that the range of application of construction robotics and automation
technologies is extensive, spanning over all the different phases of the lifecycle of construction
projects. These technologies can be implemented post-construction for maintenance and
operation activities, until eventual deconstruction. However, the level of robotics and
automation technologies implementation differs significantly throughout the different stages of
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construction, with the actual construction phase being the most prevalent. Some of the current
applications of robotics technologies in construction research are shown in Table 2. These
applications were selected as a result of focused and organized review of current literature
within the last year that showcase state-of-the-art construction robotics technologies and
applications.
2.3 Robotics and Automation in Construction Education
The new era of digitization in construction offers immense benefits for the construction
industry, the environment, and the economy. The technological disruption of the AECO
industry calls for a change in the pedagogic methods in AECO education to address the future
of work. The advent of construction robotics technology such as prefabrication, 3D printing,
robotic arm systems, big data, and predictive analysis and IoT should influence construction
education. It is critical for institutions of higher learning to introduce these new technologies
and processes into construction education, to equip students adequately with the knowledge and
skills required to thrive in the workforce of the industrialized era. Furthermore, in the face of
troubling skilled labor shortages, it is crucial for employees to be equipped with the necessary
abilities and exposure to technologies to drive construction robotics processes and higher levels
of precision in construction as they join the workforce.
Although research in construction automation and robotics has become well established over
the years, transferring the knowledge gained in these fields through classroom teaching has not
gained as much traction (Bayne 2015). Furthermore, there is a lack of a collective establishment
of fundamental KSAs relevant to the implementation of construction robotics within existing
research. As these technologies continue to evolve and continue to make significant
advancement in the industry, developing and recruiting young talent will be vital for
accelerating innovation and should be a high priority for the industry. Integrating robotics and
automation in the broad AECO curriculum will be a significant and viable solution to the
growing demand for a strong robotics talent pipeline. This research is a primary action in
establishing the essential KSAs necessary to meet workplace job-task performance
requirements related to construction robotics in order to develop skilled talent for the future
workforce.
3. Methodology
3.1 Framework
To identify the essential KSAs required for construction robotics competency, three primary
phases were developed for this study, with each being built upon by a subsequent phase. Figure
1 shows these phases as literature review, semi-structured interviews, and Delphi study. This
research is on-going and this paper presents the preliminary results for the first phase, which
has been completed.
Literature Review
The first phase of the research was an extensive review of literature on construction robotics
and automation. Information on construction robotics technologies was gathered through a
comprehensive evaluation of academic literature to establish a foundation for the general
knowledge for this study. The especially relevant conference proceedings explored include The
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Construction Research Congress (CRC), The
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Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), International Symposium on
Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC), the ASCE Computing Division Computing
Workshops, and The Joint Conference on Computing in Construction (JC3) conference series.
The journals searched were the Automation in Construction Journal, Journal of Computing in
Civil Engineering, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Journal of
Information Technology in Construction (ITCon), and Journal of Educational Technology.
Several academic papers on current construction robotic technologies implemented in the
construction industry, with a focus on the United States, were evaluated. Furthermore, the
literature review assisted in the preliminary identification of essential KSAs required to meet
performance requirements related to construction robotics tasks in the industry. This phase has
been completed, and the results are presented in this paper.
Table 2. Current trends in the applications of construction robotic technologies
Authors Robotics technologies Construction applications
Wang and Zhang (2019) Robotic crawler and arm system Nail and screw recycling
Agnisarman et al. (2019) Micro aerial vehicles Routine inspection and maintenance
Autonomous robotic systems
Unmanned aerial systems
Remotely operated vehicles
Camacho et al. (2018) Additive manufacturing Fabrication of building elements
(Robotic 3D printing)
Zhang et al. (2018) Mobile robot 3D printers On-site fabrication of concrete structure
Goessens et al. (2018) Unmanned aerial systems Transporting, handling and laying masonry
in masonry construction
Kim et al. (2018) Automated robotic excavator Earthwork processes
Chen et al. (2018) Automated robots Construction tasks automation
Robotic 3D printing
Digital fabrication
Louis and Dunston (2018) Internet of Things Real-time and automated decision-making in
repetitive construction operations
Bogue (2018) Robotic systems Bricklaying
Unmanned aerial systems Glazing installation
Autonomous ground vehicles Surveying
Robotic 3D printing Project progress monitoring
Stockpile and inventory logistics
Health and safety assessment
Excavation and earthmoving operations
Building and infrastructure construction
Lee et al. (2018) Robotic arm systems Maintenance work for high-rise building
Curtain wall building façade cleaning
Semi-Structured Interviews
The next step in this research is to conduct one-on-one interviews with construction industry
and educational professionals considered to be subject matter experts (SME) in robotics and
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automation. The interviews will be semi-structured to permit deeper investigating and
consequently collect a large quantity of data, as the interviewees will be encouraged to examine
the research topic and share their opinions based on their experiences. The industry professional
expertise solicited in the semi-structured interviews is essential in providing an understanding
of the application of robotics and automation technologies in their respective companies. In
addition, educators who have been at the forefront of construction robotics research and have
introduced construction robotics to students in their classrooms will be sought after. The
interviews will establish a baseline for categorizing the vital KSAs considered necessary for
construction robotics proficiency. The interview participants will be offered the chance to take
part in the subsequent Delphi phase. The findings of the interview will be used to support and
cross-validate the findings of the literature review.
Figure 1: Research Methodology Phases
Delphi Study
The third and final phase of the research will involve the development and execution of a Delphi
study with participants from the SME pool identified during the interview phase. During the
interview phase, possible involvement in a Delphi study will be discussed with the SMEs and
the expectations regarding their participation, time commitment and anticipated outcomes of
the Delphi study will be clearly outlined. The list of participants who agree to participate will
be created as they are being interviewed and upon completing the informed consent forms. The
Delphi study itself will be conducted in multiple stages of development. The Delphi study for
this research will be conducted in three iterations. During the first round, a preliminary list of
the required construction robotics KSAs will be generated, and the first round will serve as an
open discussion among the Delphi panelists to expand the preliminary list and determine the
relevance and applicability of each item on the list. Consensus evaluation will be conducted
throughout the second and third rounds. At the end of the Delphi study, a final report will be
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generated to present the perceived important KSAs related to construction robotics according
to their ratings and rankings.
4. Results
4.1 Initial Assessment of Construction Robotics KSAs
A content analysis based review technique was employed to develop a preliminary list of the
essential construction robotics KSAs. Given the absence of an established framework for
determining construction robotics KSAs, several research articles were reviewed to corroborate
the implementation of construction robotics technologies and applications, and the research
development process and technical requirements associated with them. Inferences were then
made by systematically identifying specific characteristics in the articles. The techniques
required the review of several publications, from which results were drawn and highlighted in
Table 3. The content analysis-based review was carried out in two parts to achieve a systematic
review of literature from 2009 to 2019, as shown in Figure 2. A thorough exploration of
literature using the Google Scholar search engine using various keywords such as automation,
robotics, robotic technologies, construction, construction education, and robotic skills was
completed in Phase 1.
Phase 1 resulted in the identification of 53 related articles mostly from the Automation in
Construction journal, the International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science, the
Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, and the Journal of Information Technology in
Construction. The contents of these articles were reviewed and screened in Phase 2 in order to
extract publications that were deemed irrelevant to the study. Upon completion of the screening
procedure, 34 articles were selected for further analysis. While this two-phase search and
review method may not deliver the maximum amount of publications eligible to be evaluated,
it adequately presents a substantial volume of significant research, from which this research
could extrapolate conclusions and advance to the next phase of the research. From the articles
selected for further examination at the end of Phase 2, 29 publications facilitated the
development of the preliminary list of the essential KSAs required to perform construction
robotics related tasks.
Figure 2: Content Analysis Based Review Method
From the literature review and content analysis based review, the fundamental KSAs that were
required to complete the job tasks highlighted in the articles were extracted based on a broad
mention in multiple applications, aimed at capturing the complex dynamics of the technologies
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and processes. These identified KSAs can be broken down into two major categories:
computing KSAs and computer science KSAs, as shown in Table 3. The preliminary list will
be expanded on and validated during the semi-structured interview phase of this research. After
which, the list will be further evaluated during the Delphi study phase where the panel will
reach a consensus on the essential KSAs.
Table 3. Identification of foundational construction robotics skills
KSA category KSAs
Building information modeling
Cloud computing
Collaborative environments
Computing skills Electronic communications
Parametric design
Programming
Specialized engineering software
Algorithms and computational complexity
Automated reasoning in artificial intelligence
Big data analytics
Computational mechanics
Computer graphics
Database concepts (computer-based databases)
Computer science skills
Data structures
Geometric modeling
Knowledge systems for decision support
Machine learning
Object representation and reasoning
Optimization and search
5. Conclusions
Robotics and automation have been employed in the construction industry for several decades.
However, very few research studies have tried to uncover the shift in robotics technologies.
Through a systematic review of conference proceedings and journal articles, this research
assesses and highlights some of the current technology trends and applications of automation
and robotics in the construction industry, uncovering the focal point of construction robotics
research. In addition, through a two-phase content analysis based review method, this research
provides insight into the perceived critical construction KSAs required to perform construction
robotics tasks in the industry. Additional systematized review and evaluation of the list of
construction robotics KSAs will be accomplished through a series of one-on-one semi-
structured interviews with construction industry and education professionals followed by a
rigorous three-round, consensus-building Delphi study.
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6. Future Study
Upon completion of the study, a significant area of future research is the development of a
construction robotics competency benchmark and performance assessment framework to assist
educators and industry professionals in cultivating talent and advance innovations in
construction robotics. The research priorities are as follows:
1. Develop a model of student learning objectives for construction robotics training and
education curricula with the integration of effective assessment measures.
2. Benchmark the desired student learning outcomes and career-specific competency in
developing talent in construction robotics.
3. Evaluate the possibilities of integrating construction automation and robotics in
construction education curriculum.
4. Guide the development of a training course to ensure the proposed competency
benchmark and performance assessment framework provide meaningful outcomes to
educators for developing and assessing the competency of students.
5. Test and validate the developed competency benchmark and performance assessment
framework.
The developed skills benchmark is expected to make significant contributions to construction
robotics curricula, training development, and competency cultivation in academia, as well as
industry.
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