Application of Assistive Wearable Robotics to Alleviate Construction Workforce Shortage: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

For years, numerous studies have been done to apply advanced technologies to avoid workers from injuries. Recently with the development of robotics and automation technologies, the application of assistive wearable robotics has got more attention from construction industry after its successful applications in medical and military fields. However, there is little information about exoskeleton’s application in construction area since the technology is not fully adopted by construction industry yet. Thus, the objective of this paper is to review the state-of-art of exoskeleton and its applications in different fields, illustrate how exoskeleton can benefit construction workers, and discuss the challenges and opportunities.