Advances and Future Directions in Robotic and Automated Façade Maintenance and Construction

Cities occupy just 3% of the Earth’s land but account for 60–80% of global energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions, as highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal 11. Improving energy performance in urban areas is crucial for sustainable regeneration. In this context, buildings play a central role, with façades acting as the primary interface for heat exchange. Renovating these components can significantly reduce energy losses and contribute to energy-efficient cities. Advances in robotics and automation offer promising solutions, providing more efficient, precise, and scalable systems. This paper examines the state of the art and future trends of robotic and automated systems for façade operations, focusing on their technical challenges and limitations.