Humanoid robots may still feel like a futuristic novelty on construction sites — but experts say the industry should begin planning for their arrival today. That’s the takeaway from an Oct. 17 analysis by global consulting firm McKinsey & Co., which warns of looming labor shortages and stagnant productivity.
The construction workforce remains under strain as fewer young workers enter the trades while experienced craft professionals retire. McKinsey’s report underscores how the physically demanding nature of the job — combined with safety risks and project delays — continues to discourage new entrants. Meanwhile, construction productivity has barely improved over the last 20 years, even as manufacturing and technology sectors have surged ahead.
McKinsey argues that humanoid robots — supported by rapid advancements in robotics, embodied AI, and sensor-driven automation — could represent a “potentially transformative solution” for filling workforce gaps and boosting efficiency. These machines are being designed to move and perform tasks similarly to human workers, making them easier to integrate into existing industrial environments.
The consulting firm says builders should begin assessing where humanoid systems could offer the greatest value — whether by handling repetitive tasks, reducing worker exposure to risky environments, or accelerating large-scale infrastructure builds that demand more labor than currently available.
Right now, most humanoid deployments are limited to controlled environments like warehouse aisles or mock interior buildouts where layouts are nearly identical. However, McKinsey predicts future capabilities could extend to:
Contractors also need to determine what kind of adopter they intend to be:
Each path comes with different levels of risk and reward — but the report warns that waiting too long could leave companies disadvantaged.
“With the industry’s long-standing labor and productivity challenges likely to intensify, construction leaders would do well to begin considering potential uses for humanoids now,” the report reads. “If humanoids do become a cost-effective solution, companies will want to move as fast as possible. Those who prepare now will be best positioned to seize the opportunities ahead.”
Construction isn’t new to robotics — the industry has gradually introduced automation in recent years:
The industry’s confidence in robotics is also growing. According to the 2025 Equipment & Robotics Benchmarking Report from BuiltWorlds, positive feedback on robotics investments jumped from 74% in 2024 to over 95% in 2025. Yet the percentage of contractors actively deploying robotics slipped from 65% to 46%, suggesting many firms are still cautious about cost and integration complexity.
With AI-driven humanoids developing quickly — and the labor gap widening — analysts suggest the window for proactive planning is now. From workforce training and safety protocols to procurement partnerships and pilot projects, the companies taking early steps may be the first to reap productivity gains as the technology matures.
Robots may not replace skilled trades anytime soon, but they could become powerful collaborators on tomorrow’s jobsites — helping deliver projects faster, safer, and with fewer delays.
Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.
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