Chongqing - A new generation of intelligent construction robots is transforming one of China's most traditional industries. From robotic dogs inspecting pipelines to automated machines polishing floors and lifting walls, these technologies are reshaping construction sites in Chongqing, a growing smart city hub.
From October 25 to 29, the southwestern metropolis hosted the 3rd National Construction Robot Competition and Smart Construction Exhibition, a key supporting event of the 2025 World Cities Day China Observance. The competition brought together 140 companies from over 20 provinces, showcasing 339 technologies aimed at improving construction efficiency, safety, and precision.
Since Chongqing was designated as a national pilot city for smart construction in 2022, 55 pilot projects have been launched, helping build a modern construction industry cluster worth one trillion yuan (about 140 billion U.S. dollars). Robots such as quadruped "robot dogs," coating robots, and grinding robots, known locally as new smart workers, are now widely used on construction sites.
In the pipeline inspection contest, quadruped robots entered simulated pipes, using mounted cameras and headlights to provide real-time imaging of interior surfaces within seconds.
The pipeline inspection robot is on display at the 3rd National Construction Robot Competition and Smart Construction Exhibition. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
"This used to be one of the most difficult and dangerous tasks," said Wang Chao, regional manager at Shenzhen SROD Industrial Group. "Before, workers had to climb into narrow pipelines with flashlights and rely on experience. It was slow, incomplete, and risky. Now, robots can replace manual inspection and capture detailed data from inside pipelines, improving both efficiency and safety."
At another competition site, China Construction Eighth Engineering Division demonstrated a wall panel installation robot performing the work of three skilled workers while improving speed by over 40 percent. Floor-coating and grinding robots also increased efficiency by more than 30 percent, with surface deviation reduced to within 5 millimeters.
These technologies are now deployed across Chongqing, helping the construction sector shift from labor-intensive operations toward automation and higher productivity.
One of Chongqing's flagship pilot projects, the Liangjiang New Area Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital relocation site, shows how technology is transforming on-site operations. Workers now control 5G-enabled remote tower cranes from the ground, replacing traditional high-risk manual operation.
An unmanned excavator robot is on display at the 3rd National Construction Robot Competition and Smart Construction Exhibition. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
"In the past, operators had to climb dozens of meters into the cab and work under extreme temperatures for hours," said Shen Qiuyu, the project's chief engineer. "Now, with 5G remote technology, we can control the cranes in real time with 360-degree visibility."
Data show the system reduces labor needs by 30 percent and increases lifting efficiency by 15 percent. "Technology has freed workers and transformed the industry," Shen said.
Furthermore, Chongqing is integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital twin platforms, and robot-assisted construction to reduce material waste and design errors. Projects using these technologies have achieved an average 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions, while improving quality and safety across the construction lifecycle.
As one of China's national pilot cities, Chongqing is advancing transformation through coordinated policies. The city has built five smart construction industrial parks and created a 50 million yuan innovation fund to support enterprises and research institutes.
Dong Shaojiang, Vice President of Chongqing Jiaotong University, said the application of construction robots is expanding rapidly. "The development prospects are broad," Dong noted, "but the sector still needs more application scenarios."
By 2030, Chongqing plans to build a batch of smart construction parks, develop 10 industry clusters, and foster 20 leading firms in new building technologies, aiming for an industry output of 600 billion yuan to become western China's smart construction hub.