As the nation grapples with a looming shortage of skilled electricians, an unlikely alliance of trade unions, employers' associations, and robotics experts is forging a path towards a high-tech solution. Their mission: to explore how robots and automation can address the critical labor gap in the electrical contracting industry.

The numbers are stark. By 2030, Denmark is projected to face a shortfall of 6,700 electricians. This isn't just a statistic; it's a threat to the country's ambitious green energy transition and its broader economic goals. With 37% of electrical contracting companies already reporting "production restrictions" due to labor shortages, the industry is at a tipping point.

Enter HowToRobot, a consultancy commissioned by the trade union Dansk El-Forbund and employers' association TEKNIQ Arbejdsgiverne to conduct an independent study. Their findings offer a glimmer of hope: implementing existing off-the-shelf technologies could address 14% of the expected electrician shortage by 2030. But the real game-changer lies in the development of new, fully automated systems, which could potentially tackle up to 70% of the projected shortfall.

"There is already a shortage of labor in the industry, and the green transition increases the need for electricians even further," explains Maria Schougaard Berntsen, deputy director of TEKNIQ Arbejdsgiverne. "This study shows that automation could be a key part of the solution."

The project didn't just crunch numbers; it put boots on the ground. Robot engineers shadowed electricians, observing and analyzing over 50 electrical installation and maintenance tasks. What they discovered was surprising even to the experts.

"We uncovered a wide range of existing, often semi-automatic, aids and solutions that can reduce the time electricians spend on many of their tasks," says Mikkel Viager, a robot engineer from HowToRobot. “It was far more significant than we had dared to hope.”

The study identified 13 electrical tasks ripe for automation, spanning renovation, maintenance, and new construction. Cable pulling behind ceilings and walls, hole drilling for electrical installations, measuring and marking, and channel cutting for wiring emerged as prime candidates for robotic assistance.

But this isn't just about efficiency. For many in the industry, the appeal of automation lies in its potential to reduce wear and tear on workers. Jesper Timming, Managing Director of the Danish electrical contractor Linde-El, puts it succinctly: "What appeals to me most about automation is that we can spare our employees and reduce wear and tear. Some of those entering the labor market now will be working until they are over 72 years old. If they are to stay in the industry, we need to take good care of them."

Indeed, across the tasks analyzed, "improved working environment" emerged as the most significant positive effect of automation. Tasks that involve working on ladders with hands above shoulder height are particularly wearing, especially on the shoulders. Automation offers a way to reduce these physically demanding tasks, potentially extending careers and improving job satisfaction.

The study delved into specific tasks that could benefit from automation. Measurement and marking of placements for sockets and conduits, for instance, could be revolutionized by automated systems using 3D scanners to plot installations directly from technical drawings. Mobile robots that can print drawings directly on floors are already a reality.

Drilling holes in ceilings and walls, a dusty and noisy process often involving poor working positions, could be tackled by a range of off-the-shelf tools, from simple drills for making square holes to advanced mobile drilling robots. Channel cutting for concealed cable routing, another time-consuming and physically demanding task, also showed significant potential for automation.

However, Viager cautions against aiming too high too quickly. "Although almost everything can theoretically be automated, it is rarely a good idea to aim too high," he advises. "When you break a task down into smaller parts and look at the technologies available on the market today, you might find a reasonable solution that can handle a portion of the task, which can still be hugely valuable."

The project's approach, involving close collaboration between robotics experts, company management, and electricians themselves, has yielded unexpected benefits beyond the technical findings. Lars B. Sørensen, area manager at Dansk El-Forbund, notes, "It is interesting to see that when employees and employers sit down together and ask what they can do smarter — a fantastic list of ideas and opportunities emerges on how they can make the workplace a better place."

This collaborative spirit is crucial as the industry looks to implement these solutions. One company is already exploring the development of a mobile robot to assist with pulling and pushing cables, while others are investigating how existing systems can help electricians work more effectively and safely.

As Denmark's electrical contracting industry stands on the brink of this technological revolution, the lessons learned could have far-reaching implications. The systematic approach to mapping automation opportunities, benefits, and risks could serve as a model for other industries facing similar labor challenges.

Schougaard Berntsen reflects on the eye-opening nature of the project: "When you look at it from a different professional perspective, it becomes clear that there is a great untapped potential to become more automated and use robot technology in the industry today."

As construction sites across Denmark prepare for their robotic future, the country is setting an example of how innovation, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace change can turn a looming crisis into an opportunity for growth and improvement. The electricians of tomorrow may find themselves working alongside robotic assistants, ushering in a new era of safer, more efficient, and more sustainable electrical contracting.

In the land that gave the world LEGOs, it seems fitting that Denmark is once again at the forefront of innovative construction solutions. As the country builds towards its green energy future, it may just be robots that help keep the lights on.