CECE at the First Industrial Dialogue on Robotics in Construction

On 29^th of April, Secretary General Riccardo Viaggi, represented CECE at the First Industrial Dialogue on robotics in construction, organised by DG GROW. The event brought together key stakeholders from across the construction and robotics technology value chains to address one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: how to leverage robotisation, industrial automation, and digital technologies to improve efficiency and meet Europe’s growing housing demand altogether.

Secretary General Viaggi delivered a keynote speech, where he presented a clear picture of current use cases and trends in automation and the road to autonomy, where European OEMs are heavily invested. During his intervention, he first introduced CECE’s role and activities, setting the stage for a broader discussion on the transformative potential of robotics in construction. He then structured his presentation around three key dimensions: productivity, safety, and sustainability. He highlighted that, as more workers move away from traditional job sites, the sector must adapt by embracing new technologies and developing new skill sets rather than relying solely on conventional operators.

He also outlined key opportunities and use cases for robotics, while pointing to ongoing challenges and the need for supportive measures to accelerate adoption across the industry. The discussion concluded with a panel exchange on practical ways to increase the uptake of robotics in construction.

The presentation slides are available for download here. 

Later on 30^th of April, Secretary General also attended the High Level Construction Forum, where he delivered an additional presentation on robotics in construction, further contributing to the ongoing discussion at EU level.