Robotics and Automation in Precast Modular Housing: A Review of Technologies, Integration, and Challenges

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-697-5_31How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Precast Modular Housing; Robotics; BIM; IoT; Automation; Construction

Abstract

Precast modular housing has progressed from early mechanised formwork, basic conveyor systems, and manual quality inspection to advanced robotic manufacturing environments. Initial practices relied on semi-automated casting and simple material handling. In contrast, modern construction increasingly adopts fully robotic cells capable of reinforcement placement, concrete casting, surface finishing, and inspection of precast panels and volumetric housing modules. This shift reflects enhanced human–robot collaboration, with workers supervising automated systems and coordinating module handling and installation. The advanced technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital twin technologies enable seamless data flow from design through fabrication and assembly. At the same time, quality assurance is strengthened through laser scanning, embedded sensors, and machine-vision-based automated rebar tying and dimensional verification. This review synthesises recent research and industry practices on robotics and automation in precast modular housing, covering both large-scale factory production and small-scale construction applications such as plastering, painting, and tiling. It examines BIM-driven robotic workflows, automated quality-control methods, and flexible robotic configurations that support the mass customisation of layouts, facades, and structural systems without compromising productivity. Despite clear benefits in accuracy, safety, material efficiency, and project delivery speed, challenges remain, including high capital investment, limited interoperability between BIM and robotic control systems, a lack of standardised codes for automated construction, and the need for workforce training and organisational change. The paper highlights emerging solutions such as reconfigurable robotic cells, AI-optimised concrete production and curing, real-time sensor-based quality monitoring, and updated structural standards, positioning robotics as a key enabler for scalable, high-quality precast modular housing in modern construction.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Durga Parvateesh Siligisetti
AU  - Shreekanth Birgonda
AU  - Ajay Kumar
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/04
TI  - Robotics and Automation in Precast Modular Housing: A Review of Technologies, Integration, and Challenges
BT  - Proceedings of the Conference on Bridging Engineering Disciplines with AI and Machine Learning (BEDAIML 2026)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 370
EP  - 383
SN  - 1951-6851
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-697-5_31
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-697-5_31
ID  - Siligisetti2026
ER  -