In this episode of The Dirt, we focus on Built Robotics, which has developed an aftermarket device that automates excavators to perform trenching duties. The company’s Exosystem can convert any excavator to a remote-controlled, autonomous trench digger. And it can be installed in just one day.

Even with robotics, however, humans are still needed, so operators worried about robots taking over their jobs can rest assured. “Robots are just a tool,” says Built Robotics director of communications Erol Ahmed. “It’s up to people to figure out how to use them.”

Using the Exosystem requires operators to undergo training on its remote-control operation. Ahmed says contractors have seen a 20% to 30% savings by using it.

We’re still a long way off from artificial intelligence, or AI, taking over the jobsite. But advances in the next 10 to 15 years are likely to help contractors address the worker shortage as certain repetitive tasks become automated.