TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kedge Construction unveiled a spray-painting robot Sunday, demonstrating how AI and automation could reshape one of Taiwan’s most labor-strained industries.
The robot performs most of the work under the supervision of an operator using a tablet, CNA reported. The system reduces the number of workers exposed to fumes and leaves staff to apply only finishing touches, cutting labor needs and work time.
Kedge Construction General Manager Chen Chun-ming (陳俊明) said Taiwan’s construction workforce has faced a decades-long talent drain. He said all of the company’s technicians are over 50.
Training skilled workers takes years, Chen said. Most younger men would rather work in an office or make deliveries, he added.
Kedge began introducing AI in 2024. The company holds frequent meetings to maximize the benefits of AI in design, project management, and workplace safety.
Chen said cost estimates once depended on senior professionals with decades of experience. AI has shortened the process from months to weeks, he said.
Project visualization also once had to be outsourced to animation studios. Chen said AI can simulate the same project under varying conditions and architectural styles within a week.
AI is also used to monitor workplace safety, with image recognition systems installed at checkpoints to detect workers without protective gear. The system issues alerts and keeps records to improve compliance and reduce workplace incidents.
Despite early results, AI has yet to see widespread use because construction work is divided among subcontractors who do not see an immediate return on investment. Chen said some partners prefer traditional methods because work can still be completed on schedule without new technology.
Kedge Construction decided to lead by having robots work alongside contractors. The company also organizes training, forums, and site visits to build confidence in the technology.
Chen acknowledged that construction is a traditional industry and that limited resources affect adoption. “If we don’t act, we’ll fall behind,” he said, adding that AI is no longer optional for companies that want to remain competitive.
