Journal of Information Technology in Construction
Journal of Information Technology in Construction
ITcon Vol. 31, pg. 353-379, http://www.itcon.org/2026/15
Anthropomorphic robots in construction: A comprehensive review and analysis for deployment
| DOI: | 10.36680/j.itcon.2026.015 | |
| submitted: | February 2025 | |
| published: | March 2026 | |
| editor(s): | Amor R | |
| authors: | Pedro Dulanto, Ph.D. Candidate
Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2252-7070 pdulantogutierrez@hawk.illinoistech.edu Ivan Mutis, Prof. Dr., Associate Professor Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2707-2701 imutissi@illinoistech.edu Syed Mujtaba Hussain, Graduate Student College of Computing, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4148-1767 s11@hawk.illinoistech.edu | |
| summary: | Humanoid robots, as technologically advanced anthropomorphic machines, are designed to mimic human movements and forms, making them suitable for dynamic and complex environments. Despite this robotic technology potential, their adoption within labor-intensive industries remains limited, primarily due to technological, economic, and operational barriers. This paper systematically reviews humanoid robots’ key characteristics, applications, and challenges within the construction domain. Through scientometric and content analyses, it explores existing limitations and methodologies for integrating humanoid robots effectively while spotlighting simulation techniques as a critical driver for development in construction. The review examines technical constraints such as energy inefficiency, motion adaptability, and environmental challenges, alongside potential solutions through simulation-driven design and optimization strategies. To understand the robotic-technology challenges and benefits in the physical environment, examples of deployed simulations are presented. Developed in immersive environments, the simulations emphasize aspects of the design, testing, and deployment of these robotic systems (humanoid prototypes) by enabling digital representations of real-world scenarios, and improvements in human-robot collaboration (HRC). This paper seeks to bridge the gap between humanoid robotics and construction applications by offering a review and analysis for stakeholders and identifying potential avenues for future research. The insights contribute to a better understanding of the advancements in humanoid capabilities and their transformative potential. It aims to promote technology and encourage innovative solutions in task automation within the construction industry by minimizing the risks of innovation in traditional tasks, as well as envisioning collaborative workflows. | |
| keywords: | humanoids, simulation, anthropomorphic robots, human-robot collaboration (HRC), human-robot interaction (HRI), virtual reality (VR), immersive environments, construction tasks, humanoids in construction tasks | |
| full text: | (PDF file, 1.11 MB) | |
| citation: | Dulanto, P., Mutis, I., & Hussain, S. M. (2026). Anthropomorphic robots in construction: A comprehensive review and analysis for deployment. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 31, 353-379. https://doi.org/10.36680/j.itcon.2026.015 | |
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