Challenges in Building Information Modelling and Robotics Integration in Malaysia’s Future Construction Industry

The construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by advancements in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and robotics, which are key elements of the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions. While BIM facilitates collaborative information management throughout a building’s lifecycle, robotics introduces automation and precision in construction tasks. The integration of BIM-robotics has the potential to enhance safety, productivity and efficiency in construction. However, the adoption of BIM-robotics remains underexplored in Malaysia. This study aims to evaluate the challenges of implementing BIM robotics in the Malaysian construction industry. A total of 22 secondary data sources were collected from a comprehensive literature review. A questionnaire survey was adopted for primary data collection. For data analysis, four statistical tests were conducted which are exploratory factor analysis (EFA), descriptive analysis, reliability analysis and correlation analysis. The main findings identified four key factors from the EFA, such as technological, organisational, environmental and financial. Descriptive analysis revealed the critical challenge within each factor, while reliability analysis confirmed strong internal consistency. All identified challenges were found to be positively correlated. By identifying the challenges to BIM-robotics adoption, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry practitioners and researchers to create plans for overcoming these challenges. Ultimately, this study contributes to advancing the construction industry’s readiness for technological integration, aligning with national goals for Construction 4.0 and beyond.