Work

Robotics and AI for prefabrication of steel building components: Systematic review and future roadmap

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: The increasing demand for precision, productivity, and safety in construction has accelerated adoption of robotics and AI in steel building components prefabrication. This systematic review synthesizes 134 peer-reviewed studies to evaluate the state of robotics, AI, and digital technologies, specifically BIM, DfMA, and digital twins, across design, manufacturing, and assembly workflows for steel prefabrication. Using a five-dimensional Scope-Mode-Advantage-Restriction-Transition (SMART) analytical framework, the review characterizes major research themes, technological distribution, and associated performance outcomes. It highlights domination of robotic welding, additive manufacturing, and vision-guided inspection, but limited multi-robot deployment and integration with digital technologies. The review identifies critical methodological and operational limitations in the state-of-the-art and formulates a comprehensive roadmap for advancing steel prefabrication through five sequential research thrusts. Future opportunities include unified BIM-to-fabrication data pipelines, generalizable AI models for adaptive process control, scalable multi-robot platforms, and integrated real-time digital twin workflows to enable an intelligent robotic steel prefabrication ecosystem.

Source: Automation in Construction

DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2026.107107

Authors: Misha Afaq, Souravik Dutta, Arash Hosseini Gourabpasi, Farzad Jalaei, Rafiq Ahmad

Institutions: University of Alberta, National Research Council Canada

Language: English

Topic: BIM and Construction Integration

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,490