Towards Humanoid Robot Implementation in Construction; Identifying Technical, Informational, Process and Organizational Requirements for On-Site Integration

Abstract

Although recent advances in robotics have increased interest in construction automation, the implementation of advanced robotic systems remains challenging. Construction environments are highly dynamic and primarily designed for human workers, while BIM-based information structures are generally developed for human interpretation rather than machine execution. Consequently, a gap exists between the operational requirements of advanced robotic systems and current construction practices. The study explores how construction environments, BIM systems and organizational structures must evolve to support robotic execution. Through a theoretical and analytical approach combining literature on robotics, BIM and construction management with expert interviews and a case-based perspective from a construction company, the study translates humanoid robotic capabilities into construction specific system requirements. The findings show that advanced robotic implementation requires machine-readable and semantically structured BIM data, standardized workflows, predictable site conditions and increased organizational coordination. The study also identifies significant gaps between current construction practices and the requirements of autonomous robotic systems, particularly regarding information management, process standardization and alignment between digital models and physical environments. The thesis concludes that enabling humanoid robots in construction requires not only technological development, but also broader transformation of construction systems, workflows and governance structures. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of the systemic changes required for increased automation in the construction industry.