Context:

In recent years, robotics has been integrated into different economic sectors, allowing resources and production time to be optimized; as well as reducing the risks that humans can face in their work space. One of the most dynamic and complex sectors for the autonomous systems, is construction sector; which is why little progress has been made in the last years. This paper presents a review of studies for the construction sector using robotic systems.

Method:

This review initially presents the advantages and disadvantages that robots have in construction environments. Subsequently, the different studies presented are divided into three categories; the first focuses on those systems that allow for off-site manufacturing, like building modules and pieces with complex geometry; the second shows feedback systems for dynamic environments and path planning algorithms used for positioning the end-effector; and the last one, robots that perform heavy or repetitive tasks for the benefit of the human being.

Results:

An overview of the different studies that have been done in robotics for the construction sector is obtained; knowing state of the art robotic systems and the elements that compose them for the development of tasks in this environment.

Conclusions:

The robotic arms were initially designed to be used in the industry sector, nevertheless, recently they are being used in the construction sector to develop complex surfaces that involve the optimization of resources and time. Furthermore, this sector has begun to attract human resources with skills in robotics and artificial intelligence, making construction tasks, interdisciplinary. The projections show that the human beings will reduce the risks of injuries in this sector; they will no longer have to perform repetitive or heavy tasks, because the robot will take care of them.