The building sector has many vulnerable workers. Robots and pre-fabricated elements are already in use. It’s estimated that 72%–82% of Norwegian builders may be redundant by 2035. Australia recently successfully tested the world’s first robotic bricklayer. Although the unpredictable nature of building projects makes automation less certain than in more controlled factory line production, the nature of the building workforce will undoubtedly change.

AUTOWORK will specifically investigate automated technologies, including robots, at building sites in Norway and Australia, interviewing workers about their experiences using and working alongside these systems.