Mapping the Knowledge Structure and Research Trends in Construction Automation: A Global Bibliometric Review

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has positioned construction automation as a critical enabler of efficiency, safety, and productivity within the built environment. However, despite the growing body of literature, existing studies remain fragmented and largely technology-specific, lacking a unified understanding of the field’s intellectual structure and evolution. Addressing this gap, this study provides one of the first comprehensive and data-driven mappings of construction automation research through a global bibliometric review of Scopus-indexed publications. A total of 1,420 documents published between 2015 and 2026 were analysed using productivity analysis and advanced network-based techniques, including keyword co-occurrence and bibliographic coupling. The findings reveal a significant acceleration in research output after 2020, indicating a transition from exploratory studies to a more mature and application-oriented research domain. The field exhibits a moderately concentrated authorship structure and strong geographical dominance by technologically advanced countries, particularly the United States and China. Keyword network analysis identifies three dominant and interconnected thematic clusters: robotics and automated construction technologies, AI-enabled safety monitoring and performance optimisation. The strong interlinkages among these clusters highlight an emerging convergence toward integrated and intelligent construction ecosystems. This study advances theoretical understanding by explicitly mapping the knowledge structure and revealing the convergence of engineering and management perspectives in construction automation research. Unlike prior technology-specific reviews focusing primarily on artificial intelligence, digital intelligence, or Construction 4.0 applications, this study provides a holistic and systematic bibliometric synthesis of construction automation as an integrated research domain, revealing its intellectual structure, thematic convergence, and emerging research trajectories. The findings offer valuable guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to advance digital and automated construction practices.