Shimizu starts AI robot trials at construction sites
Leela Yanamaddi
August 7, 2026
Shimizu Corporation has begun testing AI-powered robots at construction sites, launching trials that the Japanese contractor says are aimed at easing labor shortages while improving productivity and safety.
The effort centers on what the company calls "Physical AI", which the article describes as AI systems that use cameras and sensors to recognize real-world conditions and adjust robot behavior accordingly. Shimizu is testing humanoid robots for site inspections and robotic arms that learn painting work by imitating human workers.
The company’s approach is designed to go beyond conventional construction robots, which are typically limited to repetitive, pre-programmed tasks. Shimizu said the new systems are intended to handle a broader range of work in the changing conditions of active construction sites.
One trial at the Torch Tower in Tokyo involved a humanoid robot carrying a camera and moving through the site autonomously at a speed of 3 feet per second. Shimizu is also assessing multimodal large language models (LLMs) to analyze inspection video, with the goal of making site management more efficient.
"For the construction industry, which faces critical labor shortages, AI robots represent a key solution", the company says. "Unlike conventional robots used in construction - which were often specialized machines limited to pre-programmed, repetitive motions - AI robots can function as versatile machines capable of performing multiple tasks."
Shimizu said wider use of Physical AI will require a construction-specific AI ecosystem that includes data collection, simulation, AI model development, and field testing. The company also said the technology could help preserve and pass on specialized construction skills as Japan’s skilled workforce continues to age.