A Macroergonomic Analysis of Autonomous Robotic Construction for Affordable Housing
Presentation Type
Short presentation 10-15 minutes
In Person or Zoom Presentation
Virtual via Zoom
Zoom Link
https://erau.zoom.us/j/97675248585
Location
Student Union Event Center
Start Date
16-11-2026 1:40 PM
End Date
16-11-2026 1:55 PM
Presentation Description/Abstract
As communities seek to increase housing supply, the construction sector continues to grapple with rising costs, skilled labor shortages, and growing pressure to improve environmental sustainability. Meeting these demands will require new approaches that increase productivity while lowering environmental impact throughout the building lifecycle. Recent advances in autonomous systems developed for space exploration offer alternative ways to design, assemble, and maintain residential buildings. This study examines the potential application of NASA's Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS) technology from space construction to terrestrial affordable housing construction.
While most construction automation research focuses on technical performance, this study considers autonomous, modular construction as a sociotechnical system. Using a macroergonomic framework, the study examines how technology, workforce skills, organizational structures, and regulatory and environmental conditions influence the adoption of autonomous assembly systems in residential construction. The analysis focuses on an affordable housing construction model built around reusable components, distributed robotic agents, and digitally coordinated assembly processes.
Preliminary evidence suggests that autonomous, modular architecture may reduce labor requirements, minimize material waste, improve worker safety, and shorten construction schedules. Although significant technical, regulatory, and economic barriers exist, the findings suggest that space-derived robotic construction systems could become a viable approach for delivering affordable housing at greater speed, lower environmental impact, and larger scale.
A Macroergonomic Analysis of Autonomous Robotic Construction for Affordable Housing
Student Union Event Center
As communities seek to increase housing supply, the construction sector continues to grapple with rising costs, skilled labor shortages, and growing pressure to improve environmental sustainability. Meeting these demands will require new approaches that increase productivity while lowering environmental impact throughout the building lifecycle. Recent advances in autonomous systems developed for space exploration offer alternative ways to design, assemble, and maintain residential buildings. This study examines the potential application of NASA's Automated Reconfigurable Mission Adaptive Digital Assembly Systems (ARMADAS) technology from space construction to terrestrial affordable housing construction.
While most construction automation research focuses on technical performance, this study considers autonomous, modular construction as a sociotechnical system. Using a macroergonomic framework, the study examines how technology, workforce skills, organizational structures, and regulatory and environmental conditions influence the adoption of autonomous assembly systems in residential construction. The analysis focuses on an affordable housing construction model built around reusable components, distributed robotic agents, and digitally coordinated assembly processes.
Preliminary evidence suggests that autonomous, modular architecture may reduce labor requirements, minimize material waste, improve worker safety, and shorten construction schedules. Although significant technical, regulatory, and economic barriers exist, the findings suggest that space-derived robotic construction systems could become a viable approach for delivering affordable housing at greater speed, lower environmental impact, and larger scale.