By Mateo Zimmerman, investment manager at Cemex Ventures
The construction industry is no stranger to automation. Task-specific robots – like bricklaying machines, autonomous vehicles, and plastering systems – have long improved safety and efficiency by handling repetitive tasks in structured environments.
Humanoid robots, by contrast, are designed to replicate human motion and behavior, making them better suited for general-purpose roles. With major tech players like Google and Meta investing in this next frontier, the question is how soon humanlike robots will join crews on job sites.
The potential is real, but so are the challenges. Construction sites are unpredictable, and humanoid robots must prove they can adapt to dynamic conditions at a viable cost. These machines will also need to integrate with existing workflows, justify their expense, and gain buy-in from workers, unions, and insurers. [Read more…] about Opinion: Are humanoid robots coming soon to the construction industry?