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Robotics: Less Sci-Fi, More Site-Ready Than You Think

When people hear “robotics in construction,” they imagine humanoid robots laying brick or falling over in viral videos.

But Bhragan explains that robotics is already here in practical forms:

• Drones doing roof inspections.

• Robotic layout tools speeding up surveying.

• Remote-controlled machinery that lets operators work from safe, air-conditioned rooms.

• Material haulage robots taking repetitive or dangerous tasks off human workers.
  
  
  

These aren’t futuristic ideas they’re deployable tools designed to increase safety, efficiency and workforce capacity today.

“It’s about creating a safe environment where robots and humans work together.”

As hardware becomes cheaper and smarter, adoption will only accelerate.

Making the Trades Attractive Again

One of the brightest signals Bhragan sees is the cultural shift among young people.

For years, students were funnelled exclusively toward university degrees. Now, with fears around AI taking white-collar roles and skilled trades becoming more respected (thanks to TikTok and Instagram) younger generations are rethinking their career choices.

There are also new models emerging:

• Fast-track trade programs (like Forge in the U.S.) training someone from zero to apprentice-level carpenter in 12 weeks.

• Modular and prefab construction, reducing the training load needed on site.

• More investment in apprenticeship pipelines as governments realise the urgency.
  
  

The message is clear: technology won’t replace trades it will supercharge them.

AI Is Moving From “Chatbots” to Real Workflow Automation

AI has been a buzzword in construction for years, but Bhragan sees the next three to five years as the moment AI becomes genuinely useful.

We’re shifting from:

❌ Chat interfaces that help answer questions

to

✅ AI-native workflows that redo entire processes end-to-end

This could transform:

• bidding and proposal workflows

• subcontractor coordination

• compliance documentation

• daily logs and reporting

• procurement sequences
  
  

The future looks like task-specific AI agents that draft documents, trigger reminders, run checks, request inputs and keep humans “in the loop” for final decisions.

“We’ll move from talking about AI to AI becoming a reality in construction processes.”

For contractors, this means more output with fewer resources something the industry desperately needs.

Why ConTech Is Finally Getting the Attention It Deserves

One major shift Bhragan highlighted:

Generalist tech investors are finally paying attention to construction.

To them, construction is no longer the slow, unattractive sector it used to be. The problems are massive, the budgets are huge, and global demand is exploding.

Startups are being founded not by outsiders trying to “disrupt construction,” but by people who deeply understand the industry’s realities.

At the same time:

• more industry professionals are joining accelerator programs

• more builders are proactively seeking pilot opportunities

• more people want to work with startups to solve real problems

“There’s a lot more interest from industry to help startups build solutions that actually work for us.”

Tech Adoption Isn’t Slow  It’s Rational

Construction gets labelled “slow to adopt,” but Bhragan reframed this.

Contractors operate on razor-thin margins. Anything that introduces risk can wipe out an entire project’s profit.

A generic tool built for accountants or interior designers won’t cut it.

“If a new piece of tech creates risk, why would a contractor adopt it?”

What construction needs are tools built specifically for construction workflows designed by people who understand the stakes.

This is exactly the gap Assemble Pro exists to fill.

Why the Next Few Years Will Be Exciting for Builders

The future looks optimistic.

• More funding

• More founders with construction backgrounds

• More practical robotics

• More useful AI

• More industry pull for solutions

• Lower costs through productivity, not cheap labour
  
  

And above all a generational shift in attitudes.

“It feels like a now-or-never moment. People are realizing that tech adoption will help their business.”

Construction is changing fast, and the companies that lean into technology early will build more, grow faster, and stay competitive.

Final Thoughts

Speaking with Bhragan made one thing clear:

We’re entering the most transformative decade construction has ever seen.

AI, robotics, new talent, global demand and fresh capital are all converging at once.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to Last Week in ConTech, do it, it’s one of the best ways to stay ahead of what’s coming in our industry.

And if you're a contractor looking to modernise your estimating and takeoffs, keep an eye on Assemble we’re building tools made specifically for the realities of construction, not generic software.