Japanese contractor Shimizu Corporation has begun trials of AI robots on construction sites to address labor shortages while improving productivity and safety. The tests include a humanoid robot that performs site inspections and robotic arms that learn painting tasks by imitating human workers.
The initiative centers on what Shimizu calls Physical AI - AI systems that use cameras and sensors to perceive real-world conditions and adapt robot behavior accordingly. Unlike conventional construction robots, which are typically limited to repetitive, pre-programmed operations, the new systems are designed to handle the dynamic environments found on active sites.
In one test at the Torch Tower in Tokyo, a humanoid robot moved through the site autonomously at a speed of 3 feet per second while carrying a camera. Shimizu is also evaluating multimodal large language models (LLMs) to analyze video captured during inspections, with the aim of streamlining site management.
A shift from pre-programmed machines
"For the construction industry, which faces critical labor shortages, AI robots represent a key solution," the company said. "Unlike conventional robots used in construction - which were often specialized machines limited to pre-programmed, repetitive motions - AI robots can function as versatile machines capable of performing multiple tasks."
The painting trials rely on robotic arms that learn painting tasks by imitating human workers, rather than following a fixed instruction set. Shimizu said the goal is a machine that can take on a wider range of jobs across a construction site.
Building a construction-specific AI ecosystem
The company said broader implementation of Physical AI will require a construction-specific AI ecosystem encompassing data collection, simulation, AI model development, and field testing. The trials are a practical example of AI for Real Estate & Construction applied to physical work, rather than back-office software.
Shimizu also expects the approach to help preserve and transfer specialized construction skills as Japan's skilled workforce ages. The company frames the robots as a direct answer to the industry's worker shortage.
Why this matters for real estate and construction professionals
The trials target a specific problem: routine but variable work such as painting and inspections, which resists traditional factory-style automation. If Shimizu's approach holds up, one versatile robot could cover multiple tasks that today require separate specialized machines. For firms facing a shrinking skilled workforce, the project also suggests a way to capture veteran know-how before it walks out the door.
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