An article from
Dive Brief
Even though builders have an almost universally positive view of the technology, fewer are actually adopting it on jobsites, according to a new report.
Published Aug. 6, 2025
The 1200CX drywall robot from Canvas.
Courtesy of Canvas
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Dive Brief:
- Construction professionals view their companies’ robotic innovation efforts more favorably in 2025 than in prior years, according to BuiltWorlds’ latest Equipment & Robotics Benchmarking report.
- Positive evaluations of the innovative equipment jumped from 74% in 2024 to over 95% this year, and negative evaluations, called “poor” in the report, dropped entirely. That signals increased support for automation and intelligent equipment workflows, said Audrey Lynch, senior research analyst for BuiltWorlds, in a news release highlighting the report.
- But that enthusiasm has yet to translate into mass adoption. The share of firms reporting active robotics use fell from 65% last year to 46%, according to the data. Yet those that are deploying the tech are doing so via “more selective though serious implementation,” she said.
Dive Insight:
The news is a significant development in the slow march toward widespread construction tech adoption.
The report from BuiltWorlds, a Chicago-based research platform, indicates contractors’ sentiment around automation is beginning to turn a corner. Instead of the usual default to skepticism, firms increasingly view automation as a capable option, even if they are applying it selectively.
“A large selection of last year’s reported robotics use came in the form of pilots,” said Lynch in the release. “This year we’ve seen a much smaller share of pilots but more repeated use on projects, suggesting more selective though serious implementation, albeit on smaller scales.”
That aligns with the latest trend in the construction technology ecosystem.
Rather than chasing unproven early-stage startups, builders are focusing on commercial-ready tools. For example, in recent years, contractors such as Suffolk, DPR, Webcor and Turner Construction have ramped up investment in specific jobsite tools such as Canvas and Dusty Robotics.
And there is still more runway ahead. A recent report from Revitzo, a Swiss construction software provider, highlighted how many construction teams still rely on nonintegrated tools such as email, spreadsheets and PDFs.
Likewise, builders are targeting low-hanging fruit when it comes to robotics.
“Contractors, owners and tech providers alike are exploring how robotics for tasks like layout, drilling or material transport, when combined with connected equipment and data-driven decision-making, can create a more efficient, responsive and scalable construction environment,” said Lynch in the release. “This shift reflects a broader industry movement toward intelligent, tech-enabled workflows that bridge field execution with digital planning and performance optimization.”
