A review of Obayashi’s fleet management system using a Robotics Evaluation Framework

This case study examines Obayashi Corporation’s fleet management system (FMS), an advanced remote, and semi-automatic operation system for construction equipment. The FMS integrates robotics and autonomous technology to enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity in construction operations during excavation. Through a Robotics Evaluation Framework (REF), product, organization, and process data as well as four variables: safety, quality, schedule, and cost were used to compare the FMS’s performance to its manual counterpart. The analysis reveals that the FMS reduces unergonomic periods by 68% and cuts labor expenses by 31% per zone, and by 18% in the total test volume. The FMS, however, faces considerable challenges in terms of schedule, with a 145% increase in total duration compared to the conventional method. Assuming all four variables in the REF are of equal importance to the contractor, the sensitivity analysis indicates the FMS is superior to human operation, even considering the system’s setbacks. Overall, the study highlights the potential benefits of reduced human error, labor savings, improved safety, repeatability, and modular technology. This analysis provides insights for innovators in the construction industry seeking to introduce digital and automation technologies. Future work should analyze this technology’s performance in other locations to assess its adaptability and the robustness of the results obtained.