From Industry 4.0 to Construction 5.0: Exploring the Path towards Human-Robot Collaboration in Construction

The paper begins by discussing the ongoing transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. Industry 4.0 focuses on integrating information, objects, and people in cyber-physical systems, transforming factories into intelligent environments. However, the emergence of Industry 5.0 emphasizes bringing the human element back into the production system, with human-robot collaboration (HRC) at its core. This shift recognizes the limitations of over-reliance on automation and AI. The construction industry, while lagging behind manufacturing, is also undergoing a similar transformation. The paper explores the transition from Construction 4.0, the construction equivalent of Industry 4.0, to a potential future Construction 5.0. The research question is how the Industry 4.0/Construction 4.0 paradigm can evolve into the Industry 5.0/Construction 5.0 paradigm, particularly focusing on the role and implications of HRC. The importance of this study lies in understanding the challenges and opportunities presented by integrating robotics and AI into construction, considering the unique characteristics of the construction industry, such as its unpredictable environment and fragmented supply chain. This research is significant because it provides an early analysis of this evolving paradigm shift and offers insights into the future of work in construction.

The paper reviews existing literature on Industry 4.0 and its implementation in the construction sector. It examines the concept of Construction 4.0, which includes technologies like BIM, drones, robots, and 3D printing. The literature shows an increasing focus on digitalization, automation, and connectivity in construction, mirroring the broader Industry 4.0 trend. However, the authors highlight that the actual implementation of Industry 4.0 in construction lags behind the manufacturing sector. The review also explores the literature surrounding Industry 5.0, noting the lack of consensus on its definition. However, a recurring theme is the central role of human-robot collaboration (HRC). The authors note that while lean construction has seen substantial uptake, the comparatively recent and less clearly defined Industry 4.0 paradigm has faced significant adoption challenges, a disparity the paper seeks to explore further.

The study uses a bibliometric analysis based on Scopus, a widely used database for engineering and technology research. The analysis focuses on journal articles using specific keywords such as "Construction" and "4.0" for Construction 4.0 research, and "Industry/Construction" and "5.0" for Industry 5.0 research. Terms like "Society" and "Energy" were excluded to avoid overlap with other Industry 5.0-related trends. The search was restricted to publication titles and keywords to ensure the relevance of returned results. All results underwent careful screening to ensure relevance to the subject matter. This method allowed the researchers to generate bibliometric data on the volume, time of publication, sources, and citations of relevant literature. The researchers quantitatively tracked the evolution of research output over time for both Industry 4.0/Construction 4.0 and Industry 5.0, facilitating comparative analyses. The bibliometric analysis informed a qualitative review of current research focus and adoption challenges. The authors explicitly justify their choices in terms of database, publication type, and search strategy, acknowledging potential limitations of focusing solely on Scopus-indexed journal articles and using title-based keyword searches.

The bibliometric analysis reveals that the combined research output for "Construction 4.0" and "Industry 4.0 in construction" in Scopus (February 2023) comprised 101 journal publications, with a noticeable increase in publications over time. The analysis identifies key journals publishing this research, with "Buildings" (MDPI) leading in publication frequency. The most highly cited papers often focused on conceptual discussions or organizational and social requirements for industry digitization. The study also highlights that adoption challenges include high costs, resource constraints, and a lack of specialized knowledge and training. Regarding Industry 5.0, the analysis identified 132 journal publications in Scopus, demonstrating exponential growth, particularly in 2022-2023. The dominant theme in Industry 5.0 literature is HRC, supported by both qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis found a lower overall presence of Industry 5.0 literature compared to Industry 4.0 in their initial stages; however, Industry 5.0 exhibits a significantly higher growth rate. The paper also compares the growth of Industry 5.0 to the Construction 4.0/Industry 4.0 in construction literature, showing that Industry 5.0's publication rate far surpasses that of Construction 4.0. The analysis further shows that HRC, while present in construction literature, is less strictly defined compared to its interpretation in the manufacturing sector. The study reveals that the adoption of robotics and HRC in construction faces challenges due to the unique characteristics of the construction industry—its unpredictable environment, fragmented supply chain, and complex tasks. These challenges include immature technology, high initial costs, resistance to change, and safety concerns.

The findings indicate that while the construction industry is embracing the digital transformation of Construction 4.0, the transition to Construction 5.0, characterized by HRC, is still nascent. The significant growth of Industry 5.0 literature suggests a strong momentum towards HRC, although its practical implementation in construction still lags. The significant challenges associated with implementing HRC in the construction industry are apparent, mainly concerning safety, cost, and the complex and unpredictable nature of construction tasks. The comparative analysis with the lean construction movement highlights that a clear conceptual framework, accompanied by targeted implementation strategies, is crucial for successful technology adoption in the sector. The limited research on Construction 5.0 suggests a clear direction for future research efforts. The paper's findings directly address the research question by providing evidence for the potential, yet considerable challenges, of the transition from Construction 4.0 to Construction 5.0. The results are relevant to the field by providing a comprehensive analysis of current trends and challenges, informing future research and development in construction technology.

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 and its implications for the construction industry. Key contributions include the first bibliometric analysis comparing Industry 4.0, Construction 4.0, and Industry 5.0 literature; the first consideration of 'Construction 5.0'; and a realistic assessment of HRC prospects in construction. Future research should focus on bridging the gap between the theoretical advancements in HRC and its practical application in construction, addressing safety, economic feasibility, and training needs. Exploring the potential of other human-centric technologies within the Construction 5.0 framework is also recommended.

The study is primarily based on literature reviews and bibliometric data from Scopus. This limits the analysis to published journal articles indexed in Scopus, potentially excluding relevant research from other sources like conference proceedings or less widely indexed journals. The keyword search, focused on titles, might have overlooked relevant studies that do not include the specific keywords in their titles. The bibliometric data offer a snapshot in time; future studies are needed to track evolving trends.