Recent Advancements of Applied Robotics in Construction Project Management: A Life Cycle Perspective

Robotic applications in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AEC/O) industry have advanced rapidly, driven by innovations in sensing, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation. Yet, despite notable progress, existing studies are often confined to isolated systems, specific technologies, or individual project phases. This fragmentation has resulted in a diverse but disjointed body of knowledge, underscoring the need for a comprehensive synthesis that connects emerging practices into a holistic perspective. This study presents a systematic review of 315 peer-reviewed publications from 2016 to 2025, examined through a life cycle lens. A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis with qualitative discussion is employed to explore the state-of-the-art of applied robotics research in the AEC/O industry. A six-phase taxonomy is proposed to conceptualize the construction project management life cycle: planning and design, prefabrication, construction, monitoring and control, operation and maintenance, and demolition and recovery phases. Key findings are twofold: (1) the quantitative analysis reveals publication trends, leading sources, international collaboration networks, keyword clusters, and the distribution of robotic applications across life cycle phases; and (2) the qualitative synthesis identifies phase-specific motivations, enabling technologies, representative applications, and research gaps. Building on these insights, this study outlines five future research directions: digital twin–based life cycle integration, human–robot coevolution, human-centered robotic design and deployment, generative AI–powered robotics, and emerging robotic types. This review makes a distinct contribution by integrating bibliometric trends and critical discussion with a life cycle–based taxonomy, offering a structured synthesis of applied robotics in construction project management that spans all phases from planning to demolition. In doing so, it provides a unique roadmap to guide both scholarly inquiry and practical deployment toward more intelligent, collaborative, and sustainable construction practices.