Technical review of emerging risks and mitigation strategies for mobile autonomous machines in outdoor construction

The progressive introduction of autonomous and semi-autonomous machines in outdoor construction environments is reshaping traditional risk scenarios, requiring an update of existing safety frameworks and design methodologies. This contribution presents a comprehensive state-of-the-art review conducted within the research project MACHINE5.0, funded by the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) under the 2024 "Bando di Ricerca in Collaborazione (BRiC)" program. The aim is to support the development of new approaches to risk assessment and management for autonomous mobile machinery operating in unstructured, dynamic outdoor contexts.
The review is structured in two complementary sections. The first provides an overview of the emerging risks associated with the deployment of autonomous systems in the construction sector, analysing their interaction with workers, the environment, and other equipment.
The second part surveys current commercial and prototypal autonomous construction machines, classifying them according to their degree of autonomy, sensing technologies, and operational safety strategies. A comparative analysis is provided to evaluate how manufacturers and research prototypes address identified hazards, such as collision avoidance, stability under variable terrain conditions, and fail-safe mechanisms in case of perception or communication failure.

Keywords: Autonomous machines, Construction sector, Perception systems.