Evaluating the potential and technological opportunities in construction robotics: a patent analysis

Purpose Construction robotics is one of the key drivers for transforming the traditional construction industry. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies assessing their potential and technology opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to develop a patent-based framework to identify these vacancies and provide guidance for innovation. Design/methodology/approach The study first builds a comprehensive patent database for construction robotics and applies text mining to develop a technology system. It then analyzes the potential of different technologies throughout their life cycle. Using a patent co-occurrence network, the study identifies key technologies, and a “technology-efficacy” matrix is employed to assess technology vacancies, leading to insights on future development. Findings Construction robotics as a whole is currently in a rapid development phase, yet its technology units are developing unevenly. Hardware actuators exhibit high maturity, while software algorithms advance slowly. This disconnect constrains the technology's industrialization process. Addressing this issue, this study identifies multiple technological vacancies and proposes that optimizing operational workflows and information utilization can provide critical pathways for technological innovation and industrialization. Originality/value This study proposes a technology opportunity analysis framework based on patent data, revealing an imbalance in technological development within the construction robotics field where hardware advances precede software. It clarifies the underlying causes of the technology transfer dilemma. This research fills a research vacancy in evaluating innovation potential from a holistic technological systems perspective, providing a scientific basis for identifying key technological breakthroughs and guiding the efficient allocation of innovation resources to promote industrial transformation.