Trust in Construction AI-Powered Collaborative Robots: A Qualitative Empirical Analysis
Publication: Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
ABSTRACT
Construction technology researchers and forward-thinking companies are experimenting with collaborative robots (aka cobots), powered by artificial intelligence (AI), to explore various automation scenarios as part of the digital transformation of the industry. Intelligent cobots are expected to be the dominant type of robots in the future of work in construction. However, the black-box nature of AI-powered cobots and unknown technical and psychological aspects of introducing them to job sites are precursors to trust challenges. By analyzing the results of semi-structured interviews with construction practitioners using grounded theory, this paper investigates the characteristics of trustworthy AI-powered cobots in construction. The study found that while the key trust factors identified in a systematic literature review—conducted previously by the authors—resonated with the field experts and end users, other factors such as financial considerations and the uncertainty associated with change were also significant barriers against trusting AI-powered cobots in construction.
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Published In
Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
Pages: 513 - 521
History
Published online: Jan 25, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Automation and robotics
- Business management
- Business organizations
- Computer programming
- Computing in civil engineering
- Construction companies
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Engineering fundamentals
- Field tests
- Human and behavioral factors
- Management methods
- Organizations
- Practice and Profession
- Quality control
- Quantitative analysis
- Systems engineering
- Tests (by type)
Authors
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