Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, announced a new collaboration with Kobelco Construction Machinery, a leading provider of excavators and cranes, to develop integrated 2D and 3D machine control solutions which can be operated remotely as part of the Kobelco K-DIVE CONCEPT.
Kobelco Construction Machinery is developing remote control system called K-DIVE CONCEPT. By manipulating a dedicated cockpit with displays showing the jobsite from an office, operators can control excavators remotely without going to the real jobsite. This time, with a focus on bringing more efficiency, safety and productivity through digitalisation to the heavy construction industry, Kobelco Construction Machinery and Leica Geosystems work together to help facilitate the remote operation of excavators. The relationship will take advantage of Leica Geosystems know how in relation to K-DIVE CONCEPT’s next generation Telework System using remote operation technology for operators.
K-DIVE CONCEPT will allow a diverse range of operators to work efficiently having access to any jobsite without being restricted by location. Using a remote system enables contractors to view progress of jobsites virtually and used as virtual training for operators.
“We are honoured to be chosen as technology partner in our common journey towards an autonomous jobsite,” said Leica Geosystems Machine Control President Magnus Thibblin. “Working with a leading excavator manufacturer like Kobelco Construction Machinery, fulfil our ambition to be on the forefront of technology within the heavy construction industry.”
Complete control for excavators
The advanced Leica iCON 3D excavator machine control solution guides the operator using reference models and GNSS in 3D. Design information and real-time cut/fill indications are displayed on the control panel, allowing the operators to rapidly excavate to the reference design on projects, such as large road and infrastructure construction, subdivision building, industrial sites and demolition works. Via a new cloud-based Construction Equipment Telework Service system, remote operators can control excavators’ performance on a jobsite in real-time. Kobelco Construction Machinery will take advantage of high-speed 5G mobile communication systems as the core of K-DIVE CONCEPT.
“We have great ambitions with K-DIVE CONCEPT, and in our search for technology to achieve this, we are excited to work with Leica Geosystems,” said Kobelco Construction Machinery General Manager, Business Development Department, Corporate Planning Division Yoichiro Yamazaki.“Our IoT revolutionises the improvement of safety and on-site productivity, allowing a diverse range of operators to work remotely.”
