With rapid advances in technology, modern construction sites look very different from the dusty, labor-intensive places of the past. Today, many sites resemble high-tech hubs, equipped with automation and smart machinery.
Modular buildings, sky-building machines, and construction robots are transforming the industry—boosting productivity and making what once seemed impossible, like “mass-producing houses,” a practical reality.
Modular Building: Homes Built Like Cars
In recent years, modular construction has become a hot topic. The concept is simple: most of the work is done in factories first, where container-like modules are built and pre-fitted with plumbing, electrical wiring, finishes, and sometimes even furniture. Once transported to the construction site, these modules are quickly assembled like giant building blocks.
This method dramatically reduces project timelines—often cutting them by one-third to one-half compared with traditional building. A construction firm in Guangdong, southern China, reports that modular towers can reach 40 stories tall, with more than 90% of work done in the factory. As a result, the total construction cycle is shortened by about 50%, while construction waste drops by half and carbon emissions are reduced by up to 75%.
Guangdong has become one of the leading hubs for producing modular components. Neighboring Hong Kong has taken advantage of this, adopting modular buildings for offices, schools, public housing, and private projects. Between January and May 2025, Guangdong exported roughly 1.39 billion RMB worth of modular products to Hong Kong—2.3 times more than the previous year. Beyond Hong Kong, these innovations are reaching over 20 countries, including Iceland, the U.S., and Australia.
Sky-Building Machines: One Floor Every 5 Days
While modular building moves much of the construction work into factories, sky-building machines bring efficiency directly to skyscraper sites.
These massive intelligent platforms combine concrete machinery, elevators, storage, monitoring systems, and temporary utilities into one enclosed workspace. Workers inside can complete all key tasks—rebar tying, formwork, and concrete pouring—within just 4 to 5 days per floor.
This system is especially useful in crowded urban centers, where space for storing materials is limited and transporting supplies to great heights is difficult. By integrating production at altitude, sky-building machines reduce logistical challenges and create a safe, enclosed environment where working at height is nearly as safe as working on the ground.
Construction Robots: Smarter, Faster, Safer
Automation is also reshaping day-to-day construction tasks. Robots now handle jobs that are time-consuming, labor-intensive, or require high precision—such as surveying, floor levelling, tiling, plastering, and quality inspection.
For instance, surveying robots use digital laser scanning and AI to measure a room in just 1.5 minutes, requiring only one operator. Floor-levelling robots deliver surfaces that are 95% flatter than manual work, eliminating the need for secondary adjustments.
In Hong Kong, robots like “Tri-Prime” are already active on public housing projects. This multi-functional machine uses lasers to navigate and plan optimal routes, sands surfaces while collecting dust to keep sites clean, and can even be remotely controlled for spray painting—protecting workers’ health in the process.
The Future of Construction
Housing is a cornerstone of people’s well-being, and the adoption of advanced technologies in the construction sector is reshaping how communities are built. With modular systems, sky-building platforms, and robotics, construction is becoming faster, cleaner, and safer—benefiting both developers and the public.
Links
https://www.ourchinastory.com/en/amp/15677
Modular Buildings, Sky-Building Machines, and Construction Robots