Hyundai Construction Introduces Unmanned Safety Robot 'Spot' at Construction Sites

Tunnel site TBM equipment monitoring scene. (Provided by Hyundai Engineering & Construction)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Hyundai Engineering & Construction announced on the 15th that it will deploy the unmanned safety service robot 'Spot,' equipped with artificial intelligence, at construction sites.

'Spot' is a quadruped walking robot that can be equipped with various sensors, communication devices, and AI-based software on its upper body. Hyundai Engineering & Construction has recently installed its self-developed data collection technology on 'Spot' and has been conducting demonstrations at various construction sites such as residential buildings and tunnels.

By utilizing unmanned robots, it is possible to freely move through difficult terrain at construction sites, including stairs and narrow spaces that are hard to access, and even reach blind spots that are difficult for humans to approach. Hyundai Engineering & Construction shares video and data collected by the robot to monitor site conditions in real time from the office, thereby checking and inspecting construction progress.

For example, managing the process and quality at residential construction sites requires up to 20,000 photo captures and comparisons per day. Automating this with robot operation not only ensures consistent data during site inspections but also reduces manpower. Real-time monitoring of construction sites enables safety inspections of blind spots that were previously difficult to detect with human labor alone.

Hyundai Engineering & Construction plans to pilot 'Spot' at the 'Expressway No. 400 Gimpo-Paju site' starting next year and expand its application range.

From 2023, Hyundai Engineering & Construction will pilot the unmanned safety service robot at the 'Expressway No. 400 Gimpo-Paju site,' expanding its scope and actively participating in the government’s 'Smart Construction Activation Plan.'

A Hyundai Engineering & Construction official stated, "We will integrate various IT technologies, including robot technology, into construction to strengthen safety and quality management capabilities at construction sites and lead innovation in construction project execution methods."