Texas A&M professor receives seed funding for autonomous construction research

Dr. Patrick Suermann, a professor of construction science at Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture, has received seed funding for a new project focused on autonomous construction methods. The research aims to improve safety in hazardous environments on Earth while developing infrastructure capabilities for future lunar missions.

Suermann, who is also a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, stated that the goal of the project is to remove people from the dull, dirty, and dangerous aspects of construction whenever possible. He emphasized that making construction autonomous is not about removing people from the industry.

Instead, the initiative seeks to shift workers away from repetitive, high-risk tasks into roles where they supervise and improve the machines performing those tasks.

The proposal addresses significant safety concerns in terrestrial construction. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas recorded more than 28,000 work-zone crashes in 2025, resulting in 203 fatalities. Seven of those individuals were roadside workers actively working in or near construction zones.

Suermann noted that if humans can be removed from this risk, the effort will be worth it. He added that the same rugged, durable autonomous systems designed for space could improve productivity and safety on construction projects in Texas.

The research also addresses challenges associated with building on the moon. Future lunar missions require durable landing pads to reduce dangerous dust plumes created during spacecraft landings and departures. High-velocity dust and debris from rocket exhaust can damage spacecraft and equipment. Suermann described the risk as sandblasting equipment with a mix of sand, gravel, and glass shards.

To study these challenges, the project will use simulation, digital twin modeling, and autonomous equipment control frameworks. These tools will evaluate how machines can handle excavation, grading, movement of lunar regolith, and landing pad formation with minimal human intervention. The project builds on Texas A&M’s continued lunar construction research efforts, including the Extraterrestrial Engineering and Construction initiative and the Texas A&M University Space Institute.

Source: Texas A&M University.

Sources

https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2026/08/21/tackling-constructions-toughest-jobs-on-earth-and-the-moon/