By Mateo Zimmerman, investment manager at Cemex Ventures
The construction industry is no stranger to automation. Task-specific robots – like bricklaying machines, autonomous vehicles, and plastering systems – have long improved safety and efficiency by handling repetitive tasks in structured environments.
Humanoid robots, by contrast, are designed to replicate human motion and behavior, making them better suited for general-purpose roles. With major tech players like Google and Meta investing in this next frontier, the question is how soon humanlike robots will join crews on job sites.
The potential is real, but so are the challenges. Construction sites are unpredictable, and humanoid robots must prove they can adapt to dynamic conditions at a viable cost. These machines will also need to integrate with existing workflows, justify their expense, and gain buy-in from workers, unions, and insurers.
Still, early pilot programs are underway in controlled settings like prefabrication and material handling, and investor interest is rising quickly. If momentum continues, humanoid robots could arrive on job sites sooner than expected.
Progress and limitations
Investment in construction robotics is undoubtedly growing, with humanoid robots becoming increasingly part of that conversation.
Over the past five years, our own corporate venture capital (CVC) team has tracked a steady increase in robotics-related deal flow and funding activity, with forecasts projecting a 360 percent rise in global construction robotics investment over the next decade.
However, the lion’s share of this capital still goes toward task-specific automation technologies such as robotic arms, drones, exoskeletons, and autonomous site vehicles. These technologies are already delivering measurable results, making them a more immediate and proven investment.
Humanoid robots remain in early development, with most progress happening outside the construction sector.
While companies like Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics have made headway in warehouse-ready humanoids, adapting these systems for the physically demanding and ever-changing conditions of construction remains a major hurdle.
But adapting these machines to the unpredictable and physically demanding conditions of construction sites remains a work in progress. Some proof-of-concept deployments are underway.
Field AI, for example, is equipping humanoid and quadruped platforms with advanced software to support the movement, loading, and organization of construction materials. However, widespread adoption will require further innovation and real-world testing.
Task-specific automation continues to prove its value by solving clearly defined problems in predictable environments – and funding trends reflect that confidence.
Companies like Okino and Raise Robotics are deploying solutions for tasks such as plastering and wall fastening, addressing safety concerns and labor gaps while attracting investor support.
Moreover, startups focused on these niche applications are gaining momentum, with recent funding rounds reflecting this confidence.
For instance, Raise Robotics recently secured $6 million, OKIBO raised $8 million, and Netherlands-based Monumental brought in $25 million to advance its bricklaying automation.
Meanwhile, Field AI has surpassed $100 million in funding, thanks to its work advancing robotics tailored to construction. Taken together, these investments reinforce a clear near-term focus: refining task-specific robotics before scaling more generalized systems.
When exactly we might see humanoids on construction sites at scale remains uncertain, but most indicators suggest their arrival is at least a decade away.
The technology must first clear several high bars – durability, dexterity, autonomy, and safe human interaction – all in one of the most unpredictable work environments.
Unlike warehouses or factories, construction sites are constantly evolving, with uneven terrain, varied materials, and a high degree of improvisation.
Any robot, humanoid or otherwise, will need to demonstrate not only technical competence but also the flexibility to adapt in real-time to these changing conditions.
Augmenting, not replacing human workers
While automation will inevitably change certain job roles, evidence from sectors like warehousing and logistics indicates that robotics in construction is more likely to augment human labor than replace it outright.
For example, where you once had a team of two people, you might now have those same two workers plus a robot, each handling distinct responsibilities.
This pattern is already well established in industries like manufacturing and logistics, where robotics has led to job evolution rather than mass displacement. Workers now manage and maintain automated systems rather than performing all tasks manually.
Construction is likely to follow a similar trajectory, in which robots handle hazardous or repetitive work while human workers focus on higher-value tasks.
Moreover, as these technologies scale, new roles will emerge. Workers will need at least a basic understanding of robot operation and maintenance, especially since these machines can experience downtime or mechanical issues.
At the same time, skilled workers will likely shift into more complex roles while robots take on more routine tasks.
This will require human oversight – someone on-site to supervise the robot, monitor for issues, and intervene when necessary. It also raises the bar for skill sets in construction, as workers move toward more supervisory, technical, or decision-making functions.
Additionally, successful integration will also depend on collaboration with labor unions. As with any new technology, unions will have questions and concerns about job security, working conditions, and oversight.
Given the influence of unions in construction, engaging them early and consistently will be critical to easing these concerns and demonstrating that robotics can enhance, rather than threaten, the workforce.
For example, some of the most dangerous or undesirable jobs – such as hanging from the side of a building to install façades – are clear candidates for automation.
In these cases, the conversation with unions becomes more straightforward: robots can significantly improve worker safety and reduce fatigue-related injuries. If robotics integration leads to fewer injuries and safer working conditions, unions may become strong advocates for the technology.
But that support will be contingent on transparency and collaboration. Robotics companies and contractors must demonstrate that these technologies create value for workers, not just improve efficiency or margins.
Insurers, too, are paying close attention. The insurance companies we’ve spoken with are open to the potential of robotics, but – as you might expect – they’re closely scrutinizing the associated risks.
This includes everything from robot malfunctions to potential accidents involving human-robot interaction. Initially, insurers may treat robotic deployments as higher risk, leading to increased premiums.
Contractors will need to account for this in their initial ROI models and implementation plans. Over time, however, if robotics leads to fewer accidents and lower claims, insurers may adjust their models accordingly.
To reach that point, robotics companies must help contractors build the business case. That means providing documentation, certification, and real-world performance data to validate safety and reliability.
Contractors will also play a role in educating insurers and contributing to the evolution of new coverage models tailored to robotics on the job site.
Final thoughts
Humanoid robots may still be years away from large-scale deployment, but the groundwork is already underway. Meanwhile, momentum around task-specific automation is reshaping construction by solving immediate challenges like labor shortages and safety risks.
These proven tools are building the trust and technical foundation that more advanced systems – including humanoids – will need to succeed. For now, the priority should remain on technologies that deliver clear and measurable value on today’s job sites.
