Artificial intelligence has long since made its way into the workplace. However, when people talk about it, they usually refer to jobs that are already done on computers: marketing, administration, software development, customer service, human resources, or data analysis. AI writes texts, summarizes documents, generates images, analyzes job applications, and responds to customer inquiries.
This quickly gives the impression that artificial intelligence is primarily relevant to traditional office jobs. But that’s not the whole story. New applications are also emerging in professions that involve a great deal of physical labor. In the skilled trades and on construction sites in particular, it’s becoming clear that AI and robotics are not only transforming digital processes but can also take over very practical, strenuous, and repetitive tasks.
This is particularly interesting because many skilled trades are facing a severe shortage of workers. According to the Federal Employment Agency, one in three skilled trades is considered a shortage occupation. Among the most affected are professions in plumbing, heating, and air conditioning; energy technology; construction and finishing trades; as well as mechatronics, electronics, and automation technology.
AI on the Construction Site
A recent example comes from Solingen. In a historic building, a robot trained using AI is being used to work with a trowel. Its primary purpose is to take over physically demanding tasks for which it is becoming increasingly difficult to find workers. This case clearly demonstrates that automation in the construction trade is no longer just an abstract vision of the future.
The goal is not necessarily to completely replace human workers. Rather, certain tasks can be automated: working overhead, lifting heavy materials, monotonous repetitive tasks, or tasks that are particularly taxing from an ergonomic standpoint. This is precisely where there is great potential for AI-powered machines.
ZDF also recently reported on AI in the skilled trades. Among other things, the report featured a timber construction company in Bad Lippspringe that plans to use an AI app to improve communication among its employees. This example shows that AI in the skilled trades doesn’t always mean robotic arms and construction machinery. Sometimes it’s also about improving communication, organization, and collaboration on the job site.
Four Examples of AI and Robotics in the Skilled Trades
1. Robots that build walls
One particularly obvious application is bricklaying. The Australian company FBR is developing Hadrian, an automated bricklaying robot. According to the manufacturer, the system can process up to 360 bricks per hour and has the potential to build the interior and exterior walls of a standard house in a single day.
The Dutch startup Monumental is also working on robots for masonry work. The company describes its approach as the automation of construction processes through robotics and software. Media reports indicate that the robots have already been used in pilot projects in the Netherlands, including on facades and residential construction projects.
For the construction industry, this is a natural path forward. Masonry work is physically demanding, involves repetitive tasks, and takes place under varying conditions. It is precisely this combination that makes automation technically challenging, yet also particularly appealing.
2. Drilling robots for ceiling work
Another example is Hilti’s Jaibot. This is a semi-autonomous drilling robot designed for construction sites. It is primarily used for installation work, such as when numerous holes need to be drilled in ceilings. Hilti describes the robot as a BIM-supported system designed to handle repetitive tasks while improving productivity, safety, and accuracy.
Overhead drilling, in particular, is physically demanding. Anyone who has ever worked overhead for an extended period knows how quickly it strains the shoulders, neck, and back. When robots take over such tasks, it can reduce the physical strain on workers while also making the process more standardized.
3. Robots in drywall construction
Automated solutions are already available for drywall construction as well. Canvas develops robots for processing and finishing drywall surfaces. The systems can scan walls, treat surfaces, and assist with spackling and sanding tasks. According to Universal Robots, the Canvas solution can reduce drywall finishing times by up to 60 percent and cut labor requirements by about 40 percent.
This highlights an important point: Many applications don’t focus on particularly spectacular tasks, but rather on work steps that take up a lot of time in everyday life. Sanding, smoothing, drilling, carrying, measuring, or repeating tasks are not trivial matters. They account for a large part of physical labor.
4. Exoskeletons as physical support
Not every innovation has to be an autonomous robot. Exoskeletons are a good example of technology that doesn’t replace people but provides physical support. They can assist with tasks that require workers to frequently lift, carry, bend over, or work overhead.
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health describes upper-body passive exoskeletons as a potential preventive measure for workplaces involving high levels of physical strain. At the same time, it notes that there is currently little reliable evidence regarding the consequences of long-term use.
This is an important caveat. Exoskeletons can reduce physical strain, but they must be introduced carefully. Fit, comfort, movement patterns, and employee acceptance all play a major role. The BAuA emphasizes that exoskeletons can alter movement patterns and therefore should not be viewed as a simple solution across the board.
Why this development is important right now
The shortage of skilled workers in the trades is nothing new. We’ve covered this topic here on the blog before. The construction industry, trade professions, and blue-collar jobs, in particular, face major challenges. Traditional recruitment methods are often no longer sufficient to reach enough qualified candidates.
AI and robotics cannot solve this problem on their own. But they can be part of the solution. If machines take over particularly heavy, monotonous, or hazardous tasks, this could make skilled trades more attractive. Workers who have to perform less physically demanding tasks may stay in their jobs longer. At the same time, businesses could become more productive even though fewer skilled workers are available.
It is also interesting to note that such technologies can transform the image of the skilled trades. Many young people still associate skilled trades with physical strain, limited flexibility, and traditional work methods. Modern robotics, digital planning, AI-powered assistance systems, and smart tools paint a different picture: skilled trades can be technologically sophisticated, innovative, and forward-looking.
Benefits: Reduced workload, safety, and productivity
The benefits are clear. Robots can take over tasks that are particularly strenuous or harmful to human health. These include overhead work, monotonous repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, or work in hazardous environments. This can reduce physical strain and, in the long term, help prevent absences due to overexertion.
A second advantage is productivity. When machines perform standardized tasks quickly and accurately, projects can be completed more efficiently. This can be a decisive factor, especially on construction sites, where schedules are often tight and there is a shortage of personnel.
Third, digital systems can help ensure quality. A robot that drills, measures, or performs tasks according to a plan can reduce errors. When combined with digital blueprints, sensors, and AI analysis, this creates a workflow that does not replace craftsmanship but effectively complements it.
Disadvantages: Cost, acceptance, and new dependencies
Nevertheless, we should not view this development with excessive optimism. Purchasing such systems is expensive. Many skilled trades businesses are small or medium-sized enterprises. For them, it is not easy to invest in robotics, AI systems, or comprehensive digital infrastructure.
Then there is the question of acceptance. Employees must recognize the benefits and learn how to use new technologies. If technology is perceived as a means of control, a threat, or a replacement, it can generate resistance. It is therefore crucial how companies implement such systems: transparently, in a practical manner, and in collaboration with the people who will eventually be working with them.
Job requirements are also changing. In the future, those working in the skilled trades may find themselves dealing more frequently with digital plans, assistive systems, data, or machine controls. While this can enhance the value of these professions, it requires ongoing training. Without proper training and clear guidance, even the best technology goes unused.
Another point: Not every physical task can be effectively automated. Craftsmanship thrives on experience, improvisation, a feel for materials, and making decisions based on the situation. Human judgment and technical expertise are indispensable, especially when it comes to renovations, custom work, or projects in existing buildings.
AI doesn't replace craftsmanship—it transforms it
So the key question isn't: Will robots soon replace all skilled tradespeople? A different scenario is much more realistic. AI and robotics will take over individual tasks, while humans will continue to plan, evaluate, manage, supervise, and make complex decisions.
This doesn’t mean that the skilled trades are disappearing. They are evolving. Physical labor is increasingly being supplemented by digital technology. Traditional tools are increasingly giving way to smart tools. Construction sites are becoming connected work environments. And skilled trades can give rise to jobs that combine hands-on work with technological expertise.
This is also relevant for employers in the context of recruitment marketing. By adopting modern technologies, employers can demonstrate that the skilled trades have not stood still. This can send an important message, particularly to younger audiences. After all, a profession that combines hands-on work, a sense of purpose, and modern technology is far more appealing than the outdated image of hard labor with no prospects.
Artificial intelligence, then, isn’t just a topic for offices, agencies, and government agencies. It’s also making its way into places where people are drilling, laying bricks, carrying materials, sanding, and assembling. That’s precisely why it’s worth taking a closer look. After all, one of the most exciting developments in AI may not be happening at a desk, but on a construction site.
Note: This post was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was subsequently reviewed, edited, and approved by our editorial team.
