The Role of Robotics in Structural Health Monitoring in the Saudi Arabian Construction Sector: A Short Review

The integration of robotics into Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) presents a transformative opportunity to enhance the safety, efficiency, and longevity of critical infrastructure systems. This paper provides a concise and thematic review of the current state of robotics in SHM, with a particular focus on applications, challenges, and opportunities in the Saudi Arabian construction sector. It synthesizes recent advancements in robotic platforms, including drones, wall-climbing robots, and AI-enabled inspection systems. It evaluates their contributions to defect detection, vibration measurement, and real-time structural diagnostics. The review also identifies key barriers to adoption around technological readiness, regulatory frameworks, workforce capacity, and energy constraints. Drawing on insights from healthcare, energy, and legal sectors, the paper highlights transferable lessons for successful robotic integration. These review findings provide a quick reference guide for policy development, industry practices, and continued innovation in infrastructure monitoring. The review concludes with a set of recommendations for future research and practical directions for scholars and practitioners looking to deploy robotics in SHM.