A Birmingham construction company is collaborating with Honda to test what could be an important asset in future builds.

Robins & Morton has been using an autonomous work vehicle, or AWV, developed by Honda to help with repetitive work normally carried out by people on construction sites, such as hauling materials.

The AWV can operate by itself or through remote control. Robins & Morton began using it last year.

Robins & Morton has used the device at two sites – the Jacksonville, Fla., Mayo Clinic patient tower expansion and the construction of the CaroMont Regional Medical Center Belmont in Charlotte, N.C. Testing is set to continue into next year.

David Pratt, director of corporate and operational technology, said the testing will “increase efficiencies on our project sites and provide insight for our other partners in the building industry.”

“Not only are we learning about what autonomous work vehicles can do for us in the construction industry, but also Honda gets to take away some valuable information based on the logistics of the site,” Pratt said.

Jason Van Buren, systems engineering manager at Honda, said the company is working with Robins & Morton to identify how to make the AWV more compatible for construction firm needs.

“Robins & Morton is an expert in the construction industry. So right now, for us, we’ll go out, work with them, understand the changes that go on a jobsite, and then also how can we help their business for efficiencies, savings, and cost, or any other item that might help them with their job,” Van Buren said.