“Equipment automation should be considered in the context of total jobsite autonomy, with several autonomous machines working in concert,” said Fred Rio, product manager for Construction Digital and Technology at Caterpillar.
Some of autonomy’s envisioned benefits are obvious. Autonomous machines don’t take lunch breaks; they can work around the clock, thus multiplying production. They could also be part of the solution to construction’s workforce woes.
Getting an operator out of higher risk operations conditions is also prompting autonomy.
Other benefits aren’t so obvious. “The machines are operated exactly according to specifications, so there’s improved durability, the service interval times are extended, and tire life is increased,” said William Nassauer, manager of product strategy for Komatsu America’s autonomous systems, mining technology solutions.
“Autonomy will also allow the use of smaller, lighter machines,” said Christian Berling, solution sales manager, off-road at Volvo Autonomous Solutions, which makes electrification possible, leading to a reduced carbon footprint.
“Our customers aren’t saying ‘hey, I want a robot on my construction site,’” said Finlay Wood, Trimble’s general manager of off-road autonomy. “They’re asking us for ways to help them be more efficient, to make things easier to construct. Autonomy includes the machine, communications, intelligent construction site and software and how they interact with each other.”
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