The construction sector in Spain is going through a period in which Modernizing is no longer an option, but a necessity if you want to remain competitive. compared to other markets. In this scenario, the recently presented White Paper on Robotics in Construction has become a reference document for understanding where the industry should be heading in the coming years.
The report, driven by the Spanish Technological Platform for Construction (PTEC) together with the robotics cluster HispaRob and presented at the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, it analyzes the current state of the sector, detects its main technological shortcomings and proposes a clear roadmap to incorporate robotics, automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital methodologies such as BIM throughout the entire life cycle of projects.
A key sector for the economy with a serious technological deficit
The White Paper begins by recalling the importance of construction in the Spanish economy: It represents around 5,3% of the national GDP and directly employs hundreds of thousands of peoplewith a business fabric composed mainly of specialized SMEs. Despite its size, the document emphasizes that the construction sector maintains a high level of digitalization and collaborative robotics significantly lower than that of other industries.
According to the data collected, The sector's revenue is growing and activity remains robust.However, productivity is not evolving at the same pace. This gap is largely attributed to the slow adoption of advanced technologies in construction, both in buildings and infrastructure, which poses a risk in an international context where large construction companies compete on efficiency, innovation, and execution capacity.
The document warns that the convergence between Robotics and artificial intelligence will bring about a paradigm shiftThe emergence of machines and systems capable of operating in complex and changing environments such as construction sites will allow the automation of tasks that today remain manual, repetitive and, in many cases, dangerous.
From the perspective of PTEC and HispaRob, It's not just about adding more machinerybut rather to transform the way we plan, design, execute, maintain and dismantle infrastructures and buildings, integrating data and digital tools in all phases.
Full cycle view: from design to demolition
One of the most prominent features of the White Paper is its full life cycle approach to constructionThe analysis is not limited to the construction phase, but covers everything from the initial design to demolition and the waste management and valorization, including operation and maintenance.
This comprehensive view allows for more precise identification where it makes sense to prioritize robotization and digitizationThe document places particular emphasis on the connection between phases: design, execution, operation, and end of life. When information flows coherently between all these steps, errors are reduced, accumulated costs decrease, and the traceability of materials and equipment improves.
The text presents the White Paper as a A practical guide designed for companies, administrations, and research centersMore than a technical treatise, it is conceived as a decision-support document, helping to identify which solutions are already mature and which emerging technologies should be closely monitored for implementation in the short and medium term, including new ones. methodologies for 3D printing.
This full-cycle approach fits with trends already widespread in other European countries, where the combination of BIM, digital twins and robotics It is beginning to become the standard for managing complex projects, from large infrastructures to unique buildings and rehabilitation projects.
Productivity, costs and quality: the direct impact of robotization
Among the most striking quantitative conclusions, the White Paper states that the introduction of collaborative robots (cobots) and automated systems In tasks such as prefabrication, material handling or assembly, it can boost the productivity of certain processes by up to 35%.
The report relies on surveys of construction companies which indicate that The use of automated solutions reduces failures by around 40%. compared to purely manual methods. Fewer errors mean less rework, less waste of materials, and a construction schedule more closely aligned with the planned deadlines.
Industrialization and modular prefabrication They occupy a prominent place. According to the document, Around 85% of professionals in the sector already use industrialized systems to a greater or lesser extent.These methodologies allow the construction cycle to be shortened by up to two-thirds and achieve cost savings that the White Paper estimates at around 35%, thus reinforcing the role of automation as a key lever for efficiency.
In parallel, the improvement in quality is also noticeable: more repeatable processes, controlled by sensors and monitored in real timeThey reduce variations and make it easier to comply with increasingly demanding technical and regulatory standards, especially in areas such as energy efficiency or the durability of infrastructure.
The document includes concrete examples, such as Internal transport robots capable of reducing logistics costs by approximately 7% On-site, traceability and monitoring systems that increase productivity by around 20%, or advanced tools for Waste sorting which increase the recovery rate by around 12%.
Job security and sustainability: two major added benefits
Beyond costs and deadlines, the White Paper focuses on two particularly sensitive aspects of construction: worker safety and environmental impactThe construction industry remains one of the sectors with the highest rates of workplace accidents in Spain, which is why robotization is seen as a strategic ally to reduce accidents.
The data compiled in the report suggests that The health damage associated with robotic tasks is less than 40% of that recorded in equivalent manual jobs.By moving people away from the heaviest, most repetitive, or highest-risk operations, protection against injuries, falls, overexertion, or exposure to hostile environments is improved.
Regarding sustainability, the text highlights that the combination of approaches such as Lean Construction with robotic technologies and data systems It allows for the optimization of material flows and a significant reduction in waste sent to landfills, achieving cuts of up to 32% in certain cases.
This reduction in waste, combined with better planning of stockpiles, earthmoving, and internal logistics, It helps to minimize the environmental footprint of each project.This is an aspect that is increasingly monitored by public administrations and investment funds that finance large infrastructure and housing projects.
The White Paper notes that these advances in security and sustainability align with the priorities set by the European Union regarding the ecological and digital transitionThis opens up opportunities to access funding programs linked to innovation, energy rehabilitation and the circular economy.
Real-world applications and emerging technologies in construction
The document devotes a large section to reviewing the robotics and automation applications that are already in the testing or implementation phase in different types of projects, both in Spain and in the European environment.
In the building sector, opportunities are identified in masonry robots, automated enclosure systems, interior finishing solutions, and rehabilitation toolsThis is an area that is gaining particular relevance given the rise in housing prices and the need to intervene in existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency; in addition, cases are beginning to emerge with Print 3D applied to related industrial sectors.
In civil engineering, the focus is on Excavators, compactors, cranes and other heavy machinery equipped with intelligent control systemswhich are integrated with BIM and geographic information systems (GIS). This integration facilitates earthwork planning, production monitoring, and early detection of deviations.
The core technologies described in the White Paper include mobile ground robots, drones, manipulators, exoskeletons, advanced sensors (LIDAR, ultrasound, etc.)GPS/IMU positioning systems, digital twins, 3D printing, augmented reality, and 5G networksAll these components, coordinated through artificial intelligence and data analytics, enable functions such as autonomous navigation, automatic infrastructure inspection, and predictive maintenance.
Prominent use cases include AI models based on neural networks capable of monitoring the condition of the pavement in real time and distinguish between dry, snowy, or icy surfaces with high precision, reducing the risk of accidents on roads and highways. Fleet management systems in civil engineering projects, supported by digital twin environments that monitor machinery efficiency and utilization levels, are also mentioned.
Human capital, talent and business organization
One of the ideas that is repeated in the White Paper is that The transformation of the sector is not only technological, but also organizational and in terms of people.According to the document, incorporating robots and intelligent systems without adapting the company culture and the skills of the teams is a recipe for frustration.
Therefore, the report insists on the need to train both technical profiles and middle and senior management in subjects such as robotics, automation, data analysis and artificial intelligence, in a way that complements traditional knowledge of engineering, architecture or construction management.
It is advocated to create multidisciplinary teams where construction specialists work alongside experts in software, sensors, mobile robotics or cybersecurity, capable of translating the challenges of the project into concrete and viable technological solutions.
The White Paper also focuses on the Attraction and retention of young talent and profiles specialized in emerging technologiesThe generational gap in the sector and competition from other more digitized areas may hinder the incorporation of qualified professionals, so it is proposed to strengthen ties with universities, vocational training centers and job retraining programs.
In addition, companies are encouraged to review their internal structures and management models, fostering more collaborative and innovative environments that facilitate the progressive implementation of new solutions, from pilot projects in specific projects to large-scale deployments throughout the organization.
Barriers, regulatory framework and the need for a phased rollout
The White Paper does not overlook the obstacles that still hinder the widespread use of robotics in construction. Among the most frequently mentioned barriers is the high initial cost of investmentsespecially for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the challenges of integration with existing systems and the shortage of staff with specific training.
It is also mentioned that resistance to cultural change within some organizationsas well as the technological limitations resulting from the lack of connectivity in certain construction environments, where it is not always possible to have reliable networks that support advanced solutions based on real-time data.
In the regulatory field, the report highlights the importance of frameworks such as the Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery and international standards such as ISO/TS 15066 (collaborative robots), ISO 17757 (autonomous machinery) or ISO 23725 (system interoperability), which will be key to ensuring safety, trust and compatibility between equipment from different manufacturers.
Given this scenario, PTEC and the authors of the document propose a progressive adoption of robotizationStarting with concrete projects that allow us to demonstrate tangible results in areas such as safety, quality or the automation of routine tasks, reducing the perception of risk and generating internal learning.
The White Paper places special emphasis on Strengthen training, support SMEs and start-ups, and make better use of R&D programs Available at the national and European levels. The idea is to consolidate an innovation ecosystem that facilitates the transfer of knowledge between academia, technology centers, and construction companies.
Collaboration, innovative ecosystem and next steps for the sector
Collaboration emerges as one of the central themes of the document. The White Paper states that The technological transformation of construction cannot be addressed in isolation by each companybut requires active coordination between companies, public administrations, sector associations, universities and research centers.
PTEC emphasizes the need for build a more structured innovation ecosystem, which facilitates the creation of new technological start-ups and spin-offs aimed at solving specific challenges of the work, and which promotes the circulation of ideas, prototypes and good practices among all the actors involved.
In this context, robotization is presented as one of the Main topics of the 1st Congress on Innovation in Construction, Building, Infrastructure and Concessions (IC2)Promoted by PTEC in conjunction with the University of Cantabria and the Construction Cluster Network, the event aims to serve as a meeting point for sharing experiences, success stories, and future lines of work.
With this White Paper, the platform seeks to offer a reference document for companies, administrations and research centers, which guides investment decisions, the definition of public policies and the prioritization of innovation projects linked to robotics in construction.
Overall, the report places the Robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced use of BIM as pillars of a transformation that is already underway, but which still needs to accelerate its deployment so that construction in Spain and Europe can compete in an increasingly demanding and digitized global environment.
