Equipment Teleoperation and Its Impacts on Future Worker and Workforce in Construction: Semi-Structured Interviews

Abstract

Heavy equipment is crucial for construction work and depends on skilled operators to ensure productivity and safety. The inclusion of robotics and its applications, particularly teleoperation, has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry. Via semi-structured interviews, this research explores the current practice of equipment automation technology adoption, potential needs, and benefits on equipment teleoperation, as well as its impacts on workforce diversity. The study highlights the significance of equipment teleoperation on increasing work safety and worker comfort, as well as its importance in improving workforce diversity and reducing labor shortage. With technology limitations being identified as a main barrier to practical adoption, the research also emphasizes the need for user-inspired and worker-centered teleoperation and automation technologies to facilitate implementation in practice. The study contributes to the development of future teleoperation technology by identifying the needs of construction professionals and the potential impacts on both construction work and workers.