Robotics Under Construction: Challenges on Job Sites

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of an autonomous material transportation system for construction sites, addressing challenges in navigation, perception, and site adaptation to advance robotics in construction automation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel autonomous payload transportation system based on a crawler carrier, integrating navigation, fleet management, and localization for construction environments.

Findings

Preliminary results demonstrate navigation capabilities in construction terrains.

Identified challenges in environmental perception and sensor placement.

Highlighting the need for dynamic environment adaptation algorithms.

Abstract

As labor shortages and productivity stagnation increasingly challenge the construction industry, automation has become essential for sustainable infrastructure development. This paper presents an autonomous payload transportation system as an initial step toward fully unmanned construction sites. Our system, based on the CD110R-3 crawler carrier, integrates autonomous navigation, fleet management, and GNSS-based localization to facilitate material transport in construction site environments. While the current system does not yet incorporate dynamic environment adaptation algorithms, we have begun fundamental investigations into external-sensor based perception and mapping system. Preliminary results highlight the potential challenges, including navigation in evolving terrain, environmental perception under construction-specific conditions, and sensor placement optimization for improving autonomy and efficiency. Looking forward, we envision a construction ecosystem where collaborative autonomous agents dynamically adapt to site conditions, optimizing workflow and reducing human intervention. This paper provides foundational insights into the future of robotics-driven construction automation and identifies critical areas for further technological development.