In the workplace, our coworkers fill a number of roles; they’re colleagues, friends, supporters, supervisors. They have skills to share, and we work collaboratively to meet our goals. But what happens when your coworkers are robots? Though it may seem like a strange premise, that future is right around the corner, especially in heavy industry like construction. As robots become more common in factories and on worksites, those in the construction industry must learn to work alongside them as a new hybrid workforce.
Creating A Connection
One of the greatest barriers to using automated robotics systems on job sites is that human workers simply don’t know how to engage with them; robotics systems tend to produce enormous amounts of data and may rely on their human counterparts to make certain decisions, like assess safety. Overwhelmed by all the data and not used to partnering with a computer system, rather than another person, the interaction is inefficient. Workers don’t speak robot, but they need to learn how.
To develop this sort of collegial relationship with robots, one possibility is to think about how we interact with personal assistant devices in our day-to-day lives. We view personal assistants like Siri and Alexa as sources of support, and in the workplace, much AI offers a similar service “ just multiplied. Robots aren’t displacing other workers, but increasing the efficiency of a collaborative process.
Focus On Function
Another key part of getting human and robotic systems working together in construction settings is to better familiarize workers with the function of these tools. For example, one device growing in popularity on build sites is the automated welder. The device improves weld integrity, making construction safer for everyone, while also increasing project efficiency. But how do workers perceive them?
There are several possibilities when introducing new technology and outcomes are largely contingent on how supervisors frame the changes. One option is to frame such automated technology as part of a broader set of industry improvements, such as zero-emissions equipment and safety-focused wearables. Workers should also be given the opportunity to put new equipment in perspective, in terms of how their role may change. New technology can’t just be about reducing stress on employees, but also about giving workers new responsibilities that utilize advanced technology.
Allaying Job Loss Fears
Ultimately, if supervisory staff want to help workers integrate robots into the workplace, they will need to allay fears of job loss. In a survey of architects and engineers, most agree that AI can create better buildings, even if it’s not a true match for human intelligence “ and that added clause is important. Though robotics will replace workers in many positions, they’ll make the jobs available to human workers more valuable, and likely higher paid. At present, the majority of construction sites are understaffed, which makes them more dangerous, while the projects are over budget. Losses, then, will likely be less than expected since job sites already employ too few workers. Robots will offer the support construction professionals need.
Robotics for construction may be a source of anxiety, but they aren’t the end of an industry. In fact, they’re the future of construction, with the ability to minimize the likelihood of injury, increase creativity, and possibly even increase pay for workers by cutting other costs. Though the transition may not be an easy one, workers can learn to communicate with their robotic compatriots and use this enhanced intelligence to everyone’s advantage.
