Canada’s construction sector is one of the biggest contributors to the national economy, representing approximately 7.4% of (and contributing $151 billion to) the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). It encompasses many activities, including residential, non-residential, infrastructure, and industrial construction. In recent years, the sector has been characterized by strong demand for infrastructure projects, sustainability, and advancements in building technologies.
Automation is transforming Canada’s construction industry. Research initiatives like robotics in construction are underway at institutions including the University of British Columbia. Projects include retrofitting standard construction equipment (such as cranes) with smart technologies to automate material handling. These developments could enhance efficiency on future construction sites.
Green Building Canada states that “AI and robotics are revolutionizing Canadian construction… [and represent] a monumental shift for Canada, bridging the gap between traditional building methods and modern innovation.” These technologies have the potential to reshape the construction industry by streamlining processes, reducing reliance on labour, and offering cost savings.
The construction industry is traditionally slower at automation adoption compared to the manufacturing sector. However, automation technologies can play a major role in both onsite and offsite construction activities (i.e., using autonomous machines to transport materials on sites, drones for site data collection, robotic systems for repetitive tasks like bricklaying, 3D printing for building components, automated scheduling software, prefabrication of building elements, and wearable exoskeletons to assist workers with heavy lifting).
Piling Canada predicts that key industry trends will include risk management software to connect – and collect – construction data and include:
- Sensors on equipment and more wearables on job sites,
- Increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) including computer vision, and generative AI for standardized and structured project data,
- Increased use of augmented reality (AR) and robotics that are already becoming mainstream and readily available, and
- Innovative technology to track a project’s carbon footprint.
The Government of Canada’s stimulus spending has been crucial in supporting the construction industry, particularly with investments in public infrastructure, healthcare facilities, transportation networks, and energy projects. These investments are part of a broader national effort to upgrade aging infrastructure, improve connectivity, and meet the growing demands of an expanding population.
Businesses offering products, services, and advanced automation technologies may find opportunities in Canada’s construction industry.
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