Fleming, E; Callaghan, N and Craig, N (2019) Robotics and automation as a solution to bridging the UK housing gap. In: Gorse, C and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 35th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2019, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.
Abstract
The construction sector is reliant on manual labour for the completion of projects. Yet, low labour retention, skilled workers retiring at an alarming rate and falling numbers of graduates joining the sector are all adversely affecting construction capacity and output. Embracing the broader utilisation of robotics and automation is becoming more prevalent through technology-driven approaches such as the use of drones, autonomous machines, and 3D printers churning out new structures. Despite such technologies being considered a potential solution to improving productivity, the uptake by the construction sector is not comparable to advances in other industries such as manufacturing and electronics. As a result, this research employs a mixed method approach consisting of 11 content analysis reports and 10 housebuilder surveys in order to ascertain whether or not robotics and automation are being embraced by UK housebuilders and to what extent it is aiding in bridging the gap between current output and desired housing targets. The research indicates that automation is preferred over robotics. However, several internal conditions have to be met before investing. Criticism of the house building process, in terms of continuity between targets and local authority development plans, is recognised as a viable obstacle which currently prevents the sector from benefitting from modern technology.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | automation; housing; housebuilders; labour; robotics |
| Index terms: | productivity, local authority, content analysis, housebuilder, survey, skilled worker, retention, drone, mixed method, becoming, automation, building process, construction sector, housing, robotics |
| Subjects: | building construction, sociology, philosophical process, industry analysis, management, automation and robotics, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, construction type, practitioner |
| Topics: | Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Site Management, Human Resources, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here