The potential of construction robotics to reduce airborne virus transmission in the construction industry in the UK and China

Li, Lutong; Yuan, Pu; Tang, Yuan; Cooper, Glen; Thurlbeck, Simon; Cheung, Clara Man; Manu, Patrick; Yunusa-Kaltungo, Akilu; Weightman, Andrew

Abstract

This paper aims to identify construction robotics' potential to reduce airborne virus transmission, review factors limiting the technology's adoption and highlight how similar barriers have been addressed in other industries. Construction robotics were identified and classified into 8 themes with 25 categories through a critical literature review. We undertook interviews with 4 construction contractors and conducted an online questionnaire with 32 experts from the UK (n=14) and China (n=18) who reviewed the robotic systems we identified and ranked the potential ability of each to reduce airborne virus transmission within the construction industry. The results of this study showed that construction robotics is not only beneficial to reduce airborne virus transmission, but may also help to reduce the spread of future contagious viruses. We found no significant difference (P>0.05) in practical usage and implementation barriers to construction robotics between the UK and China. Cost, training and limited awareness of robotic technologies were the main implementation barriers we identified in both countries. Both the UK and China may need to adopt strategies such as providing more financial support to small construction industries and skill training which are utilised successfully in other sectors to realise the potential of construction robotic technologies.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 14, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 18, 2024
• Publication Date: May 15, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 26, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 26, 2024
• Journal: Heliyon
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 9
• Article Number: e29697
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29697
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11924036
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: The potential of construction robotics to reduce airborne virus transmission in the construction industry in the UK and China; Journal Title: Heliyon; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29697; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.