Towards a Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis for the Use of Robots in the Construction Industry

Feasibility studies must cover different disciplines such as need-based feasibility, technological feasibility and economical feasibility. In the present work a comprehensive feasibility analysis model for the use of robots in performing construction tasks is presented. This model is mainly focussed on the need analysis in order to present criteria for decision making. The decision making is performed using the (give in full?)AHP process as a judgement tool for multiple criteria decision-making problems. Four criteria are developed for the decision-making process based on the parties involved in the construction process such as labour criteria, process criteria, site criteria, and management criteria. Safety risk assessment tools are used to emphasize the motivation for task automation from the safety point of view. Simulation tools and existing robot prototypes are used to demonstrate solutions for resolving the safety and technical problems involved in the elected tasks, and to identify the required level of automation. A case study is presented based on the use of the Starlifter robot in heavy tool deployment such as diamond core drilling and plunge sawing in hazardous environments.