Singapore is testing autonomous construction machinery at the Bulim autonomous yard in Jurong Innovation District as part of a pilot project led by JTC Corporation and Kajima. The initiative, which began in January 2026, involves using autonomous excavators and compactors that operate independently on-site, with human operators overseeing their activities remotely from a nearby control room. The project aims to address labor shortages and enhance workplace safety in the construction sector.
The pilot currently features four machines—two excavators and two compactors—and is scheduled to run until early 2027. A second phase is planned to introduce autonomous bulldozers and dump trucks, creating a coordinated fleet of robotic construction equipment. If successful, JTC intends to deploy these machines across suitable projects within its pipeline, particularly in Jurong Innovation District, by 2028.
Calvin Chung, assistant chief executive of engineering and operations at JTC, noted that increasing manpower is not a sustainable solution to Singapore’s future construction needs. The Building and Construction Authority projects construction demand to reach S$53 billion in 2026, while the industry faces a persistent labor shortfall of approximately 15 percent. Under the pilot, JTC aims to halve operator manpower by enabling one operator to oversee two machines remotely, thereby improving productivity and efficiency.
Operators assign tasks and set virtual boundaries for each machine through a control room situated about 20 meters from the worksite. Using sensors and artificial intelligence, the machines carry out their instructions autonomously without requiring an operator physically present inside the cabin. Site personnel continuously monitor the machines and can intervene if necessary. Two local operators from Kok Tong Construction received training in Japan conducted by Kajima to prepare for the trial.
The project also seeks to leverage technology to upskill foreign workers, who currently make up nearly 90 percent of Singapore’s semi-skilled construction workforce. According to JTC, many migrant workers have been trained to operate robotics at construction sites, though participation depends on individual aptitude and skill levels.
JTC expects the use of autonomous machinery to boost construction speed by 20 to 30 percent compared with traditional equipment. The technology also reduces exposure to safety hazards by minimizing the need for personnel to operate heavy machinery directly or work close to moving equipment. JTC is collaborating with the Ministry of Manpower to develop operational guidelines and safeguards, including virtual fences, obstacle-detection sensors, and emergency stop mechanisms both on-site and in the control room.
The autonomous machines are created by retrofitting traditional equipment with technology from several partners, making adoption more cost-effective for contractors who can upgrade existing fleets. The excavators use software and hardware developed by Gravis Robotics, a Zurich-based startup specializing in autonomous earth-moving equipment. The compactors run on Kajima’s automated system, 4ACSSEL, marking its first deployment outside Japan. Kajima is working alongside Kok Tong Construction and equipment supplier Tractors Singapore on the retrofitting process.
Kajima executives highlight the system’s suitability for large-scale operations, citing past projects in Japan where operators remotely managed multiple robots continuously over extended periods. They express confidence that combining Kajima’s technology with Singapore’s innovation ecosystem will drive the next generation of construction methods.
Following the pilot, JTC plans to expand autonomous machinery trials in collaboration with public agencies, contractors, technology providers, and research institutions at Bulim. The initiative represents a significant step toward integrating automation into Singapore’s construction industry amid ongoing manpower challenges.