A marathon, not a sprint

Catrin Jones explores how machine control and automation can help alleviate the challenges contractors are facing.

Bobcat Rogue X2 skid steer loader

PHOTO: BOBCAT

Contractors are facing increasing pressure to complete projects within shrinking budgets and timelines.

Additionally, the need for sustainable practices, a shortage of skilled labour, and the rising costs of fuel and materials have made the situation even more challenging.

However, one solution that has the potential to help tackle these problems is machine control. By accurately positioning machinery on worksites and automating their movements based on approved design layouts, machine control can help teams complete projects faster, and more accurately, with less fuel consumption, and with fewer skilled personnel.

Last year, Topcon conducted research into the future of machine control. In the report, published in 2023, the global positioning company highlighted the rate of adoption and what is slowing it down.

Their research shows that contractors are no strangers to machine control, with all but 3% of respondents claiming to use automation in some capacity.

Despite this, Topcon’s report states that 46% are using it on less than a quarter of their projects, suggesting that, for many, their experience with machine control is still in its infancy or is confined to certain types of projects or applications.

According to Topcon, while it appears that the construction industry is using machine control, it is used only on 34% of projects on average.

It is clear that the barriers to adoption are preventing some companies from reaping the benefits of automation

PHOTO: ADOBESTOCK

BARRIERS TO ADOPTION

John Downey, senior director of sales at Topcon Positioning Systems, says, “Investigation into the barriers to adoption reveals a working environment where machine control struggles to compete against a range of other, arguably more immediate, concerns for the time and investment needed to implement the technology on more projects.

“It is in this context that the need for more government support and regulatory pressure is imperative, which will add urgency and incentive to embrace digital construction methods.”

It is clear that the barriers to adoption are preventing some companies from reaping the benefits of machine control, but what is the potential for automation and how can it change traditional construction processes?  

Metso launches Remote IC for Lokotrack crushers and screens

Metso has launched a new sof tware application, Metso Remote IC, which has expanded its smart crushing and screening solutions. The new Metso Remote IC is used for remote control and monitoring of the crushing and screening process. It wirelessly connects all a site's Lokotrack crushers and screens.

With the Metso Remote IC app, the operator can view all the Lokotrack train machines and their main process parameters using a single dashboard.

The feeder and crusher settings can be adjusted safely from the excavator cabin, and the overall visibility of the process allows the operator to adjust the feeding for an optimal production level.

In problem situations, the Remote IC automatically stops the feeder, thus preventing overloading.

It also instantly alerts and provides a reason for the stoppage, making it quicker and easier to get back to operation. With a lower overflow risk, the process can be run closer to maximum capacity.

The Remote IC app can be operated by one person and viewed by many, with everyone on the site able to view the main process parameters and alarms. For example, the wheel loader driver can acknowledge an alarm and fix the problem.

Cameron Clark, business area director for earthmoving at Trimble, says that automation is having an impact on labour and recruitment.

AUTOMATING JOBS

Cameron says: “Task automation is helping contractors of all sizes offset the challenges of the labour shortage because it allows them to do the same work with fewer or less experienced people.

“In some cases, automating tasks on the job site means you can now do with one person what used to take two - which is instrumental in keeping jobs moving when there just aren’t enough people to do the work.”

Automation is also making these jobs more appealing for workers, which also helps offset hiring challenges adds Cameron.

“Horizontal steering control makes the job of operating a soil compactor much easier and more enjoyable, for example, which makes it easier to find people who are interested in doing it and helps improve job satisfaction among operators.”

Trimble says that it is about more than just automating one machine or one task, but about connecting machines, people and the field to the office.

REMOTE CONTROL & SAFETY

While the last few years have seen changes in operational processes in all sectors, safety is still paramount and is something that many companies are seeking to improve.

Hidromek's Opera remote control technology

PHOTO: HIDROMEK

Ferhan Fıçıcı, engineering manager for backhoe loaders and wheeled loaders at Hidromek, says: “With advancements in sensors, actuators, embedded software, AI, and cloud computing, operator assist systems are being developed. This makes working fields and machines safer. More to this, the developments in radar and camera technologies are providing a great contribution to occupational safety.”

Topcon conducted research into the future of machine control PHOTO: TOPCON

JCB and Leica develop semiautomatous excavator tech

JCB and Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, have announced that they are joining forces to offer factoryfitted 2D and 3D-ready semi-automated excavator control solutions.

From March 2024, the solutions - known as Intelligrade - will be available initially on the JCB 220X tracked excavator in the UK before being offered across the whole JCB X Series range in additional regions.

Leica Geosystems 2D and 3D-ready machine control solutions are available with semi-auto configuration to enhance productivity, accuracy, and safety by automating functions such as boom, bucket and tilt rotator control, and to reduce human error in construction operations.

Working to predetermined site plans, the 2D machine control system is said to provide real-time guidance and accuracy for tasks such as grading and levelling, ensuring the excavator’s bucket or blade achieves the desired slope or elevation. This solution is ideal for projects that involve simple terrain or require basic grading.

Naturally, this transition has affected the construction machinery industry as well. Ferhan continues: “As we all know, construction machines have a very wide working field range including, difficult or dangerous sites such as tunnel constructions or sites where blasting occurs.

“Heavy machinery operators are often exposed to harsh and dangerous environments around the job site. The remote controlling solves such troubles and creates an optimal work environment for operators.”

A TECH-ENHANCED FUTURE

Looking to the future, Vijayshekhar Nerva, Head of Innovation and Acceleration for EMEA at Bobcat, says it won't be long before artificial intelligence (AI) is flowing through our machines.

"AI and machine learning are already enabling predictive maintenance to minimise downtime in many cases, however I see a future where such technology could allow for complex autonomous operations, enhance awareness through AI-powered hazard detection, and optimize design and planning processes," says Vijay.

“This transformation could bring significant benefits like increased productivity, improved awareness, cost savings, and higher quality construction work.”

However, Vijay says that challenges such as implementation costs, the need for workforce upskilling, cybersecurity risks, and gaining trust in autonomous systems all still need to be addressed.

So, in the meantime, Cameron says: “We like to remind our customers that the industry’s innovation around and adoption of construction automation is a marathon, not a sprint." ■