TECHNOLOGY TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023

Volvo Connected Map Provides Visualized Job Site Overview

Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced its Connected Map solution to North America. The positioning service provides a visualized site overview of the real-time position for all machines (including non-Volvo machines), vehicles, and visitors on a job site. It can be accessed by operators in the machines (via Volvo Co-Pilot or Android/iOS device) and in the office (via the Office Portal web platform).

Connected Map extracts positioning data from machine telematics or Android/iOS devices with SIM Cards and uploads it to a cloud-based Volvo platform. Whether a Volvo machine, non-Volvo machine, vehicle, or temporary site visitor, Connected Map will visualize the position of any unit on site which has the App installed.

For non-Volvo machines which are regularly on site, Volvo CE recommends fitting the machine with a generic/non-Volvo Co-Pilot with Map App, which can be purchased as an aftermarket option through the Volvo dealer. Non-Volvo machine operators can also gain access to the Site Map app via any Android/ iOS device with a SIM card. Temporary site visitors can also access the app in the same way.

Connected Map will visualize typical job site features and landmarks, including roads, load zones, dump zones, speed zones, and restricted zones. Points of interest such as offices, workshops, and fuel stations can also be visualized. Single lane (narrow road) sections can be defined, to notify the operator if another machine is approaching within a single lane section, helping to avoid traffic congestion.

Bobcat Allelectric Ssl Coming Soon

Following the 2022 release of the T7X, the world’s first all-electric compact track loader, Bobcat unveiled the prototype all-electric Bobcat S7X skid-steer loader at CONEXPO.

Like the T7X, the S7X is all-electric. It is powered by a 60.5-kWh lithium-ion battery, features electric drive motors, and utilizes ball screw actuators for lift and tilt functions.

The battery and electrical powertrain deliver instant torque that is as much as three times greater than traditional loaders, according to Bobcat, and is designed to outperform its diesel-powered equivalent. This skid-steer loader offers operators a smooth and comfortable experience with minimal vibration and nearly silent operation. It can operate for up to eight hours on a single charge, depending on the application. A full charge takes approximately 10 hours.

Bobcat has once again partnered with Moog, Inc. on the motion control components. Bobcat is also continuing to partner with Viridi (creator of Green Machine products) for its lithium-ion battery systems.

FIRST LOOK: BOBCAT ROGUEX ALL-ELECTRIC AUTONOMOUS CONCEPT MACHINE

Bobcat has revealed a new concept track loader, the Bob cat RogueX. With this concept machine, Bobcat says it is exploring the capabilities of electric power, autonomous operation, and dual lift-arm geometry.

While most closely resembling a track loader, the machine is in a category all its own, according to Bobcat.

As a research and development project, Bobcat says the ma chine was built to advance its innovation road map, evaluate cus tomer perceptions, and test the limits of machine functionality.

As job sites change and remote operation becomes more advanced, Bobcat took its concept further by fully eliminating an operator station. The machine explores the idea of operating where humans cannot go to tackle work from a remote posi tion. By building the loader without a cab and using advanced kinematics, RogueX features unique functionality including both vertical-path and radial-path lift capabilities in one machine.

The machine produces zero emissions as it features a lithi um-ion battery, electric drive system, and no hydraulics.

RogueX is in the early research and development stage at Bobcat. No additional details on future commercialization are available.

Built Robotics Develops Fully Autonomous Pile Driving System For Solar Energy Farm Installation

Built Robotics’ RPD 35 is the world’s first fully autonomous solar piling system. With the RPD 35, Built Robotics says that utility-scale solar foundations can be constructed up to five times faster than with traditional means and methods.

Piling is a complex construction activity at the heart of every utility-scale solar project. Solar piles are generally steel H-beams 12 to 16 feet in length and up to 200 pounds in weight. A typical solar farm requires tens of thousands of piles to be installed, each of which must be driven into the ground upwards of eight feet and positioned at an accuracy of less than an inch. Together these piles form the structural foundation of the solar array.

The RPD 35 combines all the steps in the piling process – survey, pile distribution, pile driving, and inspection – into one package. With the RPD 35, a two-person crew can install over 300 piles per day, up to five times more than what’s possible today, all while hitting the most stringent tolerances on the market. Built Robotics says that it achieves this capability through its construction AI software working in tandem with a custom pile cartridge system and advanced sensors like RTK GPS.

Built Robotics is scheduling the first customer deployments of the RPD 35 for Q4 2023.

Bell Autonomous Adts Now At Work On Job Sites

Four years after it began testing, Bell Equipment’s autonomous technology is now being adopted on job sites in mining and quarrying applications. Bell has partnered with xtonomy, based in Europe, and Pronto AI in the United States, both of which can work with Bell customers around the world.

Xtonomy has had B30Es operating autonomously in the Alps since 2020. Pronto has established two test sites in the U.S., one at a Texas sand mine and another in Reno, Nevada, where three autonomously operated Bell B45Es and a Bell B50E are working in a quarry. In addition, they will soon be establishing a demo site in South America.

Volvo Penta And Gradall Collaborate On Electric Telescopic Boom Excavator

Volvo Penta and Gradall Industries showed an electrified version of Gradall’s XL 4100 V highway speed wheeled excavator at CONEXPO. This concept machine is currently under development. According to the companies, growing interest from Gradall’s municipal customers for quieter, cleaner solutions that meet intensifying sustainability demands and regulations, inspired collaborative discussions between Gradall and Volvo Penta to begin in spring 2022.

The zero-emissions EL41H4 concept machine is powered entirely by two Volvo Penta batteries matched to the duty cycle of the excavator. They fit into the existing engine compartment of the Gradall. The electric driveline system from Volvo Penta also includes the complete high voltage system – electric motors, gearboxes, inverters, junction boxes, and cabling.

With a hydraulic system powered by a Volvo Penta–supplied electric machine power take-off (EM PTO), this machine can effectively use battery power to transport its own excavator. The system will deliver 94 kWh of energy, and can reach full capacity in under 45 minutes from a 150kW charger.

The xtonomy and Pronto AI systems, although both autonomous, offer different benefits depending on a customer’s needs.

Xtonomy offers a complex radar-based system, which is less affected by bad weather, but requires higher upfront costs and relies on the loading tool operator to manage the operation. Continuous site and object mapping, with minimal manual interaction, make the system ideal for multiple load and dump sites. The in-cab display and supervision screens allow for easy integration with other equipment on-site.

Pronto AI offers quick deployment with a much simpler, integrated system that has subscription-based pricing with minimal upfront costs, according to Bell. It is a camera-based system and the non-dynamic site and object detection require manual interactions. It is controlled by a mobile app and routes can be easily changed by manually driving them.

The highway speed design – and its suitability for work in environments where knuckle boom models may not be the ideal fit for operation, such as under overhead obstructions like power lines – means the concept has potential for application to other designs in the Gradall portfolio. The EL41H4 concept will undergo further testing and development and is not yet commercially available.

Topcon Mc Mobile Mcx Gnss Option For Compact Equipment

Anew global navigation satellite system (GNSS) option is available for Topcon’s MC-Mobile compact machine control solution. This GNSS option allows contractors to easily integrate their compact machines into fleets already powered by GNSS technology, giving owners of skid steers, compact track loaders, and mini excavators a broader offering of machine control options.

The MC-X architecture combines multiple communication technologies, such as the Sitelink3D connectivity platform, support for numerous elevation sensors, IMUs, and GNSS receivers, to tailor solutions directly to a contractor’s workflow.

Topcon says that the entire MC-X powered portfolio is designed to make machine control easy to use and affordable for a variety of contractors. It ties together mixed fleets of earthmoving (both full-size and compact), asphalt, and concrete paving equipment, and is designed to be flexible with adaptation across applications and machine types, improving performance and speed for operators of all skill levels.

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Teleo Supervised Autonomy Expands Into Canada

Teleo retrofits a range of equipment for on-site and long-range remote operation, as well as autonomy, including wheel loaders, bulldozers, and dump trucks. Teleo recently announced that it is expanding globally through a new dealer partner network spanning across the United States, Europe, and Canada with partners Dobbs Positioning Solutions, RDO Equipment Co., SMS Equipment Inc., and SR-O Technology.

To address the difficulty that contractors have in finding workers to hire, which results in increased project costs and delays, Teleo is introducing an incremental approach to autonomy called Teleo Supervised Autonomy, which enables remote and semi-autonomous operations of any make and model of heavy construction equipment. One operator can control multiple machines from a command centre.

Full autonomy, which doesn’t require any human intervention, is still many years away for the construction industry. Teleo’s system keeps operators involved, having them remotely perform complex tasks that the technology cannot yet fully handle.