Hong Kong Housing Authority and Housing Department

The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has introduced new requirements relating to construction robotics in its tender evaluation of new building contracts since March 2020. Technical scores will be allocated and the chance of award will be increased, if tenders cover the application of robotics for wall painting, laying of floor tiles and similar activities and demonstrate that productivity, quality, safety and environmental performance can be enhanced.

The first application of digitalised indoor painting robot was made by the project team at Ching Hong Road North site in February. Applying Building Information Modelling technology, the indoor painting robot has assisted in painting works automatically. As demonstrated in the trial, the robot covered over 90% of works. Its overall dimension is suitable for all types of public housing. It also allows a single operator to remotely control multiple robots at the same time. The application of the robot can replace most of the physically demanding work of skilled painters, resulting in minimising the safety and health risks to the workers. It also enhances construction efficiency and alleviates manpower shortage of construction labour force.

The HA has also started testing other types of robots in different public housing projects, with application ranging from indoor painting works, external painting works, to welding works and water tightness test.