Human-Centered Assessment of Robotics and Exoskeletons in Construction Industry

Susanne Niehaus^*Rebecca ErlebachPatricia Helen RosenSascha Wischniewski

• Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Dortmund, Germany

Robotics and wearable systems are increasingly discussed as solutions to address physical demands, skill shortages, and safety risks present in the construction industry. However, their successful adoption depends not only on their technical feasibility but also on how they align with the working conditions on construction sites. This article combines European- and national survey data with empirical findings from four pilot studies involving 37 construction workers to examine how emerging technologies, in particular interactive robotic systems and exoskeletons, are experienced in practice. The analysis provides a unique evidence base that simultaneously advances empirical research in human-centered design and informs policy on the safe and effective deployment of technology by combining macro-level occupational health trends with micro-level user experience. Interaction principles, usability scores, psychosocial effects, and situational factors are taken into account to form a set of human-centered design guidelines based on existing literature and empirical findings for the construction industry. These results offer practical guidance on the design and deployment of interactive robotic systems that are not only functional but also safe, acceptable, and effective in changing work environments. The novelty of this paper lies in bridging macro-level occupational health data with micro-level user experience to ensure that emerging technologies in construction are aligned with the realities of everyday work.