Construction Robotics Software R&D Launched by Six Firms

Six companies, Kudan, Takenaka Corporation, Jizaie, Asratec, Akari, and Sensyn Robotics, have jointly begun research and development of a software development platform for construction robotics. This initiative is part of the ‘Post-5G Information and Communications System Infrastructure Strengthening Research and Development Project / Software Development Infrastructure Construction in the Robotics Field’ commissioned by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization). Kudan has been selected for this NEDO public offering project.

The goal is to build an open development platform that allows various robots used on construction sites, such as those for transport, fireproofing spraying, surveying, and cleaning, to operate using common functional modules. This method lets robot makers and system integrators easily add and expand modules. This will lower development costs and speed up adoption. It also seeks to tackle the big shortage of skilled workers in construction. This will be done by encouraging the use of robotics technology.

Background

Japan’s construction sector is seeing a growing shortage of skilled workers. This is mainly due to an aging workforce. While robotics transformation (RX) is seen as a promising solution, current development practices pose challenges: most vendors build robots independently, leading to poor interoperability and high costs.

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To solve this, the project will leverage the collective expertise of the Construction RX Consortium, a private organization with over 300 participating companies as of August 2025. The consortium promotes robotics transformation for construction robots and IoT applications to tackle workforce shortages and enhance productivity and safety.

Development Overview

The joint effort will focus on six core research and development areas:

Overall Architecture Design (Takenaka Corporation)

Create a single architecture that combines mechanical and software parts. This will help robots from various manufacturers work together seamlessly.

Software Function Development (Kudan )

Developing positioning and autonomous navigation technologies for changing construction site environments, along with systems for coordinated multi-robot operations.

Hardware Function Development (Jizaie)

Creating a common mobile unit adaptable to multiple tasks, with a standardized structure for easy installation and replacement of sensors and control devices.

Communication Environment Construction (Asratec)

Creating a strong communication system with 5G, Wi-Fi, and mesh networks is key. This setup adapts to changing site conditions and obstacles.

Pre-Verification Technology in Virtual Space (Akari)

Constructing detailed virtual replicas of construction sites to simulate and verify robot movements, integrated with building blueprints (BIM/CIM) for realistic testing.

Operation Support Management Tool (Sensyn Robotics)

Developing a centralized management system to monitor and control multiple robots with a standard interface for cross-manufacturer operation.

Future Outlook

This collaborative R&D aims to reduce the development and operational costs of construction robot systems. In partnership with the ‘Digital Robot System Technology Infrastructure Construction Project,’ the companies plan to demonstrate the practicality of the platform using multiple robot systems in real-world settings.

Looking ahead, the consortium envisions expanding the platform beyond the construction sector to other industries, helping to strengthen the global competitiveness of Japan’s robotics industry.