Japanese contractor launches trials of AI-powered robots for construction sites

Japanese contractor Shimizu Corporation has begun trials of AI-powered robots for use on construction sites. The move seeks to address labor shortages while improving productivity and safety.

The initiative focuses on the practical application of “Physical AI,” a term describing AI systems that use cameras and sensors to perceive real-world conditions and adapt robot behavior accordingly. The company is testing humanoid robots for site inspections alongside robotic arms designed to learn painting tasks by imitating human workers.

Unlike conventional construction robots, which are typically limited to repetitive, pre-programmed operations, the new systems are intended to perform a wider range of tasks in the dynamic environments found on construction sites. In one test at the Torch Tower in Tokyo, a humanoid robot successfully navigated the site autonomously at a speed of 3 feet per second while carrying a camera. 

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