Automated Construction: Are You At Risk Of Losing Your Job?

We’ve seen it coming for years now, with sci-fi movies predicting for decades that robots would overtake our jobs (or kill us), and technology companies making major advancements in the robotic field, we naturally began to wonder when our jobs would be taken over. As a provider of specialist builder’s insurance, the team at Tradesman Saver keep up to date on all the latest developments in the UK and international construction industry.

A recent study has estimated that more than 10 million UK workers are at high risk of being replaced by robots within the next 15 years, with a 30% chance of those roles within the construction industry being replaced.

We’d like to think that the trade industry would be fairly safe from becoming automated. Could a robot plaster a wall anytime soon? Fix the plumbing or wiring? Probably in a 100 years, but anytime soon? Not likely – but there have, however, been advancements within the construction sector and certain tasks are now becoming automated.

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Meet ‘SAM’, or Semi-Automated Mason. SAM is a new robot that is able to lay 3,000 bricks a day – 7 times the amount a human worker can do in the same time frame. Already being used over in the USA, it is looking to be introduced to the UK within the next 2 years.  At the moment ‘SAM’ needs to be heavily supervised, with human workers still needed to assist the set up of the robot, lay bricks at difficult angles, as well as clear up afterwards, so it isn’t quite all there yet.

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Saying this though, construction workers shouldn’t rejoice just yet – Australian firm ‘Fastbrick Robotics’ have developed a robot capable of completing the procedure unaccompanied, nicknamed ‘Hadrian X’. It’s capable of laying 1,000 bricks an hour. Using 3D printing, the robot is able to cut, grind, mill bricks and place them to fit the structure using construction adhesives to hold everything together. The robot completely eliminates the need for a human workforce all together… and that’s just scary, right?

The automation of the industry doesn’t stop there, with Japanese construction machinery giant, Komatsu, going one step further ­– using drones to provide the eyes for automated bulldozers. The drones send 3D models of a building site to a computer, which then feeds the information to unmanned machinery to plot their course; it’s all very technical and complicated, but it’s real.

Of course, we’re many years away from robots fully taking jobs away in the tradesman industry, but these baby steps are setting the foundation for a future of a human-less workforce.

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The State of Automated Construction In 2023 *Update*

Now that we’re in 2023, we’re pleased to say that the trade industry has been relatively safe from automation so far. Automation has certainly made an impact on the Construction industry, but it hasn’t been as drastic as originally predicted.

In 2018, Komatsu’s bulldozers became one of the first pieces of automated construction equipment to be used in a professional setting – and since then we’ve seen even more developments in the automation field.

Robots such as SAM and Hadrian X are now being used in professional construction sites, eliminating the need for human workforce – although they still require a lot of supervision and assistance from trained professionals. Automation has also made its way into surveying, with drones and intelligent machines able to map out entire building sites without the need for manual labour.

So, while automation may have made its way into the construction sector – it’s not as dire as initially predicted and jobs are still safe – for now. Automation is here to stay though, so if you’re a professional in the trade industry it’s important to keep up with the latest developments and tech advances. It may be necessary for you to update your skills and understanding of the industry – now more than ever.

At the end of the day, automation is advancing faster than ever before, and it’s important that we stay up-to-date with these changes to ensure our role within the trade industry remains secure in a changing world.

Has There Been Job Loss In The Construction Industry Due To Automation?

Automation has had an impact on the Construction industry over the past few years, but it hasn’t been drastic enough to lead to job loss. In fact, according to recent reports, the construction sector is still in need of more workers – and will continue to do so for at least the next decade.

Despite this however, it’s important to remember that automation does present a risk for the future of jobs in Construction, and it’s likely that we’ll eventually see job loss due to automation. So, if you’re a professional in the trade industry, it’s important that you keep up with the latest advances in technology to ensure your role remains secure.

Ultimately, it’s clear that automation will play a vital role in the future of the Construction industry – and it’s important to be aware of this if you want to remain secure in your job.

For Specialist Builders Insurance, Choose Tradesman Saver’s Experienced Team Today

Here at Tradesman Saver, we can provide a complete range of insurance policies, including public liability insurance, employers’ liability insurance, and professional indemnity – making sure you’re covered for all eventualities.

We understand that the Construction industry is an ever-changing landscape, and we make sure to keep up with the latest developments so we can provide you with the best possible policies. Plus, our team of experienced professionals are always on hand to answer any questions you may have and provide advice on the best insurance policies for your needs.

So, if you’re looking for a dedicated team of experienced professionals to provide you with specialist builders insurance – get in touch with Tradesman Saver today.