What Does The Robot Olympics Mean For Construction?

The incredible sporting display has us questioning robotics in the construction field.

The yearly tradition of China’s Robot Olympics might be a very recent development, but it is one that has showcased the potential of these incredible machines. While the event has gone viral, partially because of some spectacular malfunctions, it’s hard to deny how far robotics has come in a short space of time. 

While we’ve already examined how developments in aerospace might influence the future, the robotics involved in these industries deserve the spotlight. 

The Robot Olympics 

If you missed it, the second-ever World Humanoid Robot Games took place between the 22nd and 26th of August. Hosted in Beijing, the event saw 2,056 robots from 666 different teams, all competing across 51 events. 

From track racing to boxing and even dance and table tennis, the games were eerily similar to the traditional Olympics. With records broken and ridiculous crashes documented, the event showed the potential and the pitfalls of robotics. However, this showcase of tomorrow’s technology is set to have a major impact on almost every field. 

Robots On Site 

Now, robots won’t be donning hard hats and entering the world of construction in the next few years. In fact, there might be quite the wait before this technology is applied to the trade. The price of these robots is astronomical. Some of the droids featured at the World Humanoid Robot Games, for instance, cost well over $100,000. It’s definitely not practical to bring them to your place of work. 

But when this transition does eventually take place, you’ll be surprised how many uses these humanoid robots may have. They are an excellent safeguarding tool, with the robots able to take on dangerous jobs at a faster rate. They are also useful for taking on more menial tasks, allowing human workers to get up to speed on those technical gigs. 

There are already robots on site, analysing health and safety, putting together structural plans and collecting key data. However, it is the movement capabilities of humanoid robots that make them unique. They can climb ladders, make their way through difficult terrain and fit in tight spaces! 

If you saw the Robot Games, you’ll know that they are not coming for your jobs anytime soon. Yet, there is a world where these robots become more intertwined with construction than they ever have before.