Autonomous excavators – a new era

Advancements in the construction industry

With advancements in AI, robotics and machine learning, they will be able to take on more complex and delicate tasks, boosting productivity, addressing labour shortages, improving on-site safety and delivering more sustainable operations.

Autonomous excavators bring together a range of technologies including robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), GPS, LiDAR sensors and cameras. The goal is to devise a complete system that can make sense of a construction site as the excavator performs the usual tasks of digging, grading and trenching.

Much of this technology is already being harnessed to operate autonomous vehicles, including dump trucks working in mines. However, there’s a significant difference to mapping a route on a permanent or semi-permanent road compared to a construction site, which quickly changes shape and form as work progresses.

Greater operational efficiencies

As key technologies continue to mature, the fully autonomous excavator could be rolled out to provide several advantages. Firstly, it has the potential to work around the clock, which will reduce project completion time. Efficiency gains such as this will allow contractors to make better use of resources and save money – it also means they can take on more jobs, increasing profitability.

Efficiencies are also to be found in the execution of the work. Only the most highly skilled and experienced operator could match the accuracy of an autonomous system, for example when it comes to excavating the precise amount of materials to be removed from a site.

Improving site safety is everyone’s priority, and autonomous machines can play their part in keeping accident rates to a minimum. This is because operators would no longer be exposed to hazardous working conditions or bad weather. In addition, the autonomous machine would not make mistakes due to fatigue.

Along with many sectors of the economy, the construction industry struggles with labour shortages. Autonomous excavators would help address this issue, and free up personnel to carry out other work, such as preparing the system for its day-to-day tasks.

A sustainable solution

Many of the above advantages come together to offer contractors an opportunity to operate in a more sustainable way, especially if the autonomous excavator is electric. On-site work efficiencies and faster project completion will also lead to a reduced carbon footprint.

“Autonomous control performs pre- programmed work, which means that energy is used as efficiently as possible,” explains Bill Drougkas, HCME Manager Product Management & Solution Linkage. “And because the work of the autonomous excavator must be programmed in advance, it is optimised so every machine movement achieves maximum effectiveness.”

A bright future

Looking further ahead, autonomous excavators are likely to offer even greater levels of sophistication. Thanks to advancements in AI, robotics and machine learning, they will be able to take on more complex and delicate tasks.

Moreover, by harnessing big data, they will be able to assess their own performance, and enable predictive maintenance. Such capabilities will reduce downtime and maintenance bills.

“We were excited to showcase the first autonomous Hitachi excavator at Bauma this year, and explain the potential impacts of such machinery,” says Bill. “It has the power to transform the way our customers work and revolutionise the industry.”