Bridging Distances: Exploring Teleoperation’s Present and Prospects in the Construction Industry

Telerobotics has enabled advancements in multiple fields by providing safer robotic solutions. The construction industry has previously employed teleoperation, but its applications have been limited in scope and primarily focused on earthwork. Teleoperation enables safe operations in extreme and inaccessible environments by allowing construction workers to remotely oversee traditionally high-risk tasks. Recent advancements in high-speed telecommunication networks, control systems, and growing research in teleoperation have significant potential and practicality for application in the construction industry. This paper reviews existing literature on construction teleoperation, emphasizing how advancements in human–machine interfaces (HMI), such as haptic devices and brain–computer interfaces, open new opportunities for developing teleoperation systems across a wider range of construction applications. Additionally, discussions on system latency and potential solutions such as predictive models are provided. Finally, the paper presents conclusions and offers recommendations for future research aimed at developing effective and versatile construction teleoperation systems.