The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) industry is facing significant challenges. Shortages of skilled workers, delays in projects, and growing complexity are forcing companies to rethink how they operate. At Buro Matei, we see robots as the answer; they are becoming increasingly essential partners in improving efficiency, safety, and quality. Multi-purpose robots have the potential to transform construction and fabrication, creating a stronger link between smart engineering designs and perfect results on-site.

Robotization in the EPC industry

Multi-Purpose Robots
Multi-purpose robots are changing the EPC industry. These advanced robots can perform many tasks, including working in dangerous areas like confined spaces or handling hazardous materials. They are built for efficiency and safety, taking over jobs that are risky for humans. Within this decade, robots will learn new tasks by observing humans; a process called demonstration-based programming. This ability will allow robots to adapt to different needs on-site and share knowledge with other robots. This flexibility makes them essential for projects that need both precision and adaptability.
Smarter Modular Construction
Modular construction (building large parts of structures in factories and assembling them on-site) has been growing rapidly since 2024. Robots play an important role in this process by handling tasks such as welding, bolting, and quality inspections. This ensures consistent results and reduces time spent on-site. With robots, modular construction is safer and faster, helping EPC companies meet deadlines and stay within budget.
Autonomous Construction
Autonomous robots are becoming key players on construction sites. These robots use advanced AI and computer vision to move and work independently. They can perform tasks such as assembly, inspection, and quality checks. Data from these robots is sent to Digital Twins, which are virtual versions of the project. This gives teams real-time updates about progress. Within this decade, autonomous robots will take over more tasks, reducing risks to humans and ensuring compliance with strict safety standards.
Assembly Works
Robots excel in pre-assembly work, such as fitting pipes or aligning parts in controlled factory settings. Their precision helps reduce errors and the need for rework. On-site, modular robots are just as valuable. They can assemble large prefabricated components, such as scaffolding or steel frames, with unmatched speed and accuracy. Their ability to adapt to different tasks makes them a key part of modern construction workflows.

Machine-Readable Engineering
For the EPC industry to take advantage of robotics, the way we deliver engineering data must change. Traditional 2D drawings, though once effective, are no longer suited for the needs of robotic systems. These drawings rely on human judgment to interpret and fill in missing details, something robots cannot do. Any ambiguity or oversight disrupts automation, leading to delays, mistakes, or costly rework.
Machine-readable formats in open standards are the answer. These advanced designs encode every detail robots need: dimensions, tolerances, and materials; allowing robots to interpret and execute tasks directly.

The Machine-Readable Advantage
Machine-readable formats bring clarity and efficiency across all phases of EPC projects:
- Design Phase: Robots use 3D models to understand tasks with no room for misinterpretation.
- Fabrication Phase: Robots handle pre-assembly with exact specifications, reducing errors and rework.
- Construction Phase: Autonomous robots execute complex on-site tasks, guided by precise digital data.
By embracing these formats, EPC companies can improve workflows, reduce silos, and align all teams, engineers, fabricators, and construction crews, on the same digital platform.
Why Falling Behind is Costly
The EPC industry faces increasing pressure to innovate. Competitors adopting machine-readable formats will complete projects faster and at lower costs, gaining a strong edge. Worse, in the near future, companies may even face fines for failing to use robots for dangerous tasks. Imagine being penalized for asking a human inspector to climb into a risky space instead of sending a robot! It’s not merely a matter of staying competitive, it’s about staying compliant, and further reduce risk.

Dull, Dirty, Dangerous Jobs
Robots thrive in environments that humans find boring, unsafe, or unpleasant. These so-called “3D jobs”, dull, dirty, and dangerous, are perfect for robots. Why risk sending a worker into a hazardous chemical plant for an inspection when a robot can do it better and safer?
In the near future, the integration of robots will be so widespread that regulators are expected to enforce their use. Picture this: A company insists on sending a worker to inspect a corroded tank deep in a confined space. Not only is it risky, but it’s outdated. When the labor inspector shows up and finds the worker instead of a robot, they slap the company with the first-ever fine for failing to adopt robotics. Robots, on the other hand, would have scanned the tank with precision and sent the data to the team without breaking a sweat, if robots could sweat.
In the EPC world, robots don’t just make these tasks safer, they make them smarter. For example, a robot deployed for pipe inspections in an offshore facility can detect micro-cracks and instantly update the Digital Twin with real-time data, ensuring issues are resolved before they become major problems.

Preparing for the Robotic Future

For EPC companies, preparing for a robotic future is about more than adopting machines, it’s about redesigning workflows to align with robotic capabilities. Buro Matei recommends the following steps:
- Flexible and Modular Robots: Robots must be adaptable to a wide range of tasks across projects.
- Digital Designs: Transitioning to machine-readable formats using open standards is essential for robot integration.
- Safety Compliance: Using robots for hazardous tasks ensures worker safety and meets future regulations.
- Training the Workforce: Engineers and project managers need the skills to design and work in this new digital and robotic ecosystem.
Further reading
↗ The EPC Engineer of the Future

The New Standard for EPC Projects
Robots are no longer tools of the future; they have become the standard for how EPC projects must operate. They help reduce risks, enhance precision, and accelerate processes. Multi-purpose robots are taking on more roles, working more autonomously, and becoming essential partners in construction.

At Buro Matei, we are embracing robotics as a key driver of progress. By designing workflows, data, and projects specifically for the robotic age, we demonstrate that the future of EPC is already here.
The question is no longer whether robots can transform the EPC industry; it is whether we will take the steps necessary to make it a reality.
References
AIM-NET (2023). Artificial Intelligence In Manufacturing. Retrieved from: https://aim-net.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AIM-NET-Artificial-Intelligence-in-Manufacturing-white-paper.pdf
BouwTotaal (2024). Industriële bouw is een flinke puber. Retrieved from: https://www.bouwtotaal.nl/2024/03/industriele-bouw-is-een-flinke-puber/
NRC (2024). De onderhoudsinspecteur bij de hoogspanningscentrale van Tennet is een robothond. Retrieved from: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/06/13/de-onderhoudsinspecteur-bij-de-hoogspanningscentrale-van-tennet-iseen-robothond-a4856397
European Commission (2022). Industry 5.0: Research And Innovation. Retrieved from: https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/industrial-research-and-innovation/industry-50_en
TNO / Rathenau Instituut (2024). Eigen ritme of algoritme? – Een verkenning van algoritmisch management. Retrieved from: https://monitorarbeid.tno.nl/publicaties/eigen-ritme-of-algoritme/
Bergshoef, L. (2024). De robothond inspecteert veilig, snel en efficiënt. Antea Group. Retrieved from: https://anteagroup.nl/diensten/spot
Techniek Nederland (2024). Artificial Intelligence, Robotisering en Industrialisatie: De Technieksector in 2030. Retrieved from https://leden.technieknederland.nl/downloadairapport