News: Robots Will Take Risky Building Work, Says CREDAI Chief-04-10-2026
Artificial intelligence could eventually power robots to handle a growing share of construction, working with humans and taking over dangerous, repetitive or highly precise tasks, CREDAI chairman Boman Rustom Irani said.
He was speaking as CREDAI NATCON 2026 concluded in Kolkata on Sunday, where an AI hub showed how humans and machines could together speed up construction to meet the demands of India’s urbanisation expected by 2047.
Irani said human life is at risk at several stages of construction and robots could take over such work in extremely difficult conditions. They would be more precise, help with quality issues, reduce wastage, give uniform finishes and allow advance knowledge of material and work required. He said robotics should not be seen simply as a threat to jobs. Drawing a parallel with robotic-assisted surgery, he said that just as doctors monitor such procedures, human expertise would remain important in construction.
Robotics is already in use or under test in several areas. Digital robotic systems can transfer layouts and floor plans onto surfaces with high precision. Automated bricklaying systems and large 3D printers can build walls faster and may cut wastage. Robots are being developed for overhead drilling, rebar tying, welding and drywall finishing, while drones and ground robots can survey sites, track progress and inspect, sparing workers dangerous heights and terrain. Automated measurement and real-time monitoring can catch errors earlier.
After completion, AI-enabled systems and robots can inspect roofs, HVAC systems and plumbing, detect leaks and structural problems, support preventive maintenance, and carry out cleaning, security patrols and environmental monitoring in large buildings.
CREDAI president-elect G Ram Reddy said AI and robotics are driving "a fundamental evolution" of the industry, from design studios to construction sites to building operations. Semiautonomous and autonomous machines are emerging that can augment or even replace some onsite activities, he said, and bulldozers, excavators and cranes are being fitted with AI guidance systems to do groundwork with minimal human input.
Industry leaders said robotics would not remove the need for workers but change the nature of employment, raising demand for trained operators, technicians, engineers and specialised workers. That makes skilling and reskilling critical, and those able to operate and supervise machines could command greater value. Safety is another gain, as robots can do repetitive, physically demanding jobs in hazardous locations, reducing accidents and fatigue.
The emerging model is humans alongside machines: robots supply precision, repetition and strength, while people remain responsible for judgement, supervision and complex decisions. The transition, the industry’s message went, will depend not only on how quickly developers adopt the technology but on how well the workforce is prepared.
