Singapore moves to accelerate construction technology adoption

BCA will waive rental fees for selected technology sandboxes for two years from July 2026.

Singapore has introduced measures to reduce the cost of testing construction technologies and support their wider use across the built environment sector.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat announced the initiatives at the inaugural Construction Technology @ Punggol Digital District event.

Under the measures, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will waive space rental fees for technology sandboxes at the Built Environment Innovation Hub for two years from July 2026.

The waiver will initially cover teams testing productivity-focused technologies, including robotics and automation. It may later be extended to other technology categories depending on demand.

The hub at BCA’s Braddell Campus has hosted more than 170 technology demonstrations and testbeds since 2023.

JTC will also establish a sandbox in Jurong Innovation District to test large-scale autonomous construction technologies and heavy equipment systems. Its first project will involve JTC, the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office, HDB and Kajima Corporation.

In addition, JTC will introduce an Innovative Procurement Partnership tender for technologies such as construction inspection robots and remote-controlled tower cranes.

Companies that complete successful pilots may apply to deploy their technologies on other JTC projects without undergoing new tenders. JTC’s first two procurement exercises received nearly 20 submissions, including computer-vision systems for monitoring worksite productivity and robots for inspecting covered drains.

The Ministry of Manpower and BCA have also exempted the first batch of projects using smart hoists from the requirement to station operators inside the equipment. The projects must implement safety measures such as interlocks to keep hoist doors secure.

The agencies may consider granting pre-approved exemptions to smart-hoist systems with established safety records.

Separately, JTC has onboarded its first batch of digital solutions to the Integrated Digital Delivery Technology Alliance. The programme provides project partners with access to vetted tools that can connect with OPTIMUS, JTC’s shared digital workspace for construction project teams.