At the Construction Technology Confex UAE 2025, a high-impact panel, moderated by Phillip Higgins, Director at Ventures Middle East, tackled the reality of robotics in the construction sector. Joined by Alain Waha (CTO, Buro Happold), Eng. Bader Alkowaifel (Project & Design Director, Motoon Real Estate), and Imad Itani (Head of Innovation, ALEC), the session dissected what’s truly working, what’s still experimental, and what the next five years may bring.
Whats really happening on site?
Forget the dancing robots and 3D-printing demos trending online. The panel’s starting point was reality: drones are currently the most widely adopted autonomous technology on construction sites. Their data-capturing capabilities have transformed site oversight and inspection.
But the discussion went deeper. ALEC, one of the region’s major contractors, revealed it launched its first robotics strategy in 2017 and has since trialed over 100 robotics solutions. From drilling to painting, solar panel cleaning, plastering, and even block assist robots, there’s a long list of technologies in play. Still, the adoption curve remains steep.
The definition of a construction Robot
Robotics in construction, as Imad Itani explained, covers more than humanoid bots. It includes any programmable machine performing a part or whole task with some level of autonomy. This could be a drone, an exoskeleton, a rebar-bending machine, or a semi-autonomous block carrier. Many tools are not replacing labor, they’re supporting it.
Especially in regions like Saudi Arabia, where mega-projects demand exponential growth in workforce deployment, robotics are seen as a necessity to keep up, not a luxury to replace jobs.
3D Printing: Hype Or Hope?
One of the liveliest parts of the discussion was around 3D printing. Despite past headlines, like Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Housing trial of a 3D-printed house, cost and practical limitations have kept the technology on the fringe. As several panelists noted, a 3D printer that takes 26 hours to build a small house and requires three different construction systems isn’t ready for mass adoption just yet.
Still, panelists acknowledged that while the technical readiness of 3D printing may be high, commercial readiness is not. Demand, cost, and code compliance remain barriers, but things can change quickly, as the smartphone analogy made clear.
What’s Working at Scale?
Some technologies are quietly succeeding. Rebar cage automation was cited as a promising area, replacing manual labor in harsh conditions with robotized systems that are safer, faster, and increasingly cost-effective. NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic mega-development, was highlighted for signing a deal with Danish robotics firm GMT to reduce onsite labor by up to 90% through offsite automation.
Panelists also agreed that offsite construction, where processes are standardized and controlled, is more conducive to robotics adoption. As modular construction gains traction, robots will find their role not only on-site, but in manufacturing facilities building components before they ever reach the project location.
Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years
Each panelist offered a prediction:
- ALEC aims for 5% of all site activities to be robotic by 2030.
- Bader Alkowaifel predicted 20% of sites in the region will have some robotic activity within five years.
- Alain Waha painted a bold picture: humanoid-like robots swarming sites at night for quality checks, logistics, and cleaning, robots that are already available, just awaiting the right construction adaptation and cost curve.
Conclusion
Construction robotics is no longer a futuristic dream, it’s a maturing frontier. While challenges remain, especially around commercial readiness and integration into existing workflows, success stories are emerging, particularly in data capture, rebar handling, and repetitive off-site tasks.
Whether you’re a skeptic or an advocate, the video replay of this panel is a must-watch for anyone trying to separate hype from reality in the evolving world of construction automation.
Watch the panel discussion here
