Robotics integration in structural health monitoring in the Saudi construction projects

The use of robotics for structural health monitoring (SHM) is gaining attention as an important approach to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and enhance infrastructure through digital transformation and sustainable development. This study examines factors influencing the adoption of robotics in the Saudi construction sector, focusing on major projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire distributed to project managers, engineers and technology specialists. A total of 320 valid responses were obtained using convenience sampling. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using SPSS 26. The results reveal that eight factors significantly influence robotics adoption. Accessibility and safety (β = 0.564, p < 0.001), regulatory and governmental support (β = 0.211, p < 0.001) and data-driven decision-making (β = 0.210, p = 0.040) were the most influential determinants. The findings validate a contextualised model for robotics adoption in construction and provide practical recommendations, including improving institutional readiness, developing robotics suitable for extreme environments and integrating robotics with safety-oriented and data-driven SHM practices to support smart infrastructure development in Saudi Arabia.