TY  - CONF
TI  - Perceptions of Robotic Inspections for Confined Spaces in Lean Construction: a Qualitative Study
C1  - Osaka and Kyoto, Japan
C3  - Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33)
SP  - 987
EP  - 998
PY  - 2025
DO  - 10.24928/2025/0137
AU  - Wang, Zhong
AU  - Mei, Qipei
AU  - Lee, Gaang
AU  - Bock, Thomas
AU  - González, Vicente A.
AD  - PhD Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Canada, zhong15@ualberta.ca, 0000-0002-7113-3439
AD  - Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Canada, qipei@ualberta.ca, 0000-0003-1409-3562
AD  - Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Canada, gaang@ualberta.ca, 0000-0002-6341-2585
AD  - Chair of Building Realization and Robotics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany, bockrobotics@web.de, 0000-0002-1278-7440
AD  - Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Canada, vagonzal@ualberta.ca, 0000-0003-3408-3863
ED  - Seppänen, Olli 
ED  - Koskela, Lauri 
ED  - Murata , Koichi 
AB  - This qualitative study investigates industry professionals' perceptions of robotic inspections for confined spaces within the framework of Lean Construction 4.0 with a focus on facility maintenance.  Confined space inspections are crucial for safety and asset integrity but are often associated with risks, inefficiencies, and high costs. Robotic inspections offer a potential solution, aligning with Lean Construction 4.0 principles that integrates lean principles such as eliminating waste, respect for people, along with technology as a means to an end.  Through a focus group with ten experienced facility maintenance professionals, the study explored current practices, challenges, expectations, and hesitations regarding robotic inspections. Findings revealed that while participants recognized the potential of robots to enhance safety, accessibility, and data quality, they also expressed concerns about sensor reliability, data security, cost, and integration with existing workflows. These concerns resonate with previously identified barriers to sensor adoption in construction. The study highlights the need for human-centered design, robust and reliable technology, and seamless integration to successfully implement robotic inspections. Future research should focus on addressing these technological and human factors to advance Lean Construction 4.0 goals and realize the full potential of robotic inspections in creating safer, more efficient confined space inspection processes.
KW  - Lean construction 4.0
KW  - Qualitative Study
KW  - Robotics
KW  - Sensors
KW  - Confined Space Inspection
PB  - 
T2  - Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33)
DA  - 2025/06/02
CY  - Osaka and Kyoto, Japan
L1  - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/2332/pdf
L2  - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/2332
N1  - Export Date: 28 June 2025
DB  - IGLC.net
DP  - IGLC
LA  - English
ER  -