Description
Autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars, have received a lot of attention in recent times with automakers and companies like Google and Uber working to bring driverless cars to market by the year 2020. Existing technology has already led to semi-autonomous vehicles, which include emergency braking, auto-steering, and traffic-aware cruise control for instance. In the same way that this technology can bring can lead to better commutes, autonomous bulldozers, cranes and trucks can improve the construction industry by increasing safety and productivity.
Caterpillar is currently working on autonomous equipment for construction. They have several implemenations for the mining industry. This will delevop in conjunction to the consumer autonomous vehicle sector probably with a semi-autpilot functionality. Royal Truck & Equipment has demostrated their Autonomous Impact Protection Vehicle a Autonomous Truck Mounted Attenuator ATMA Truck following a leader maintenance vehicle in live work zones with CDOT. Built Robotics has a autonomous front loader that they are working on. http://www.builtrobotics.com/about/ Built Robotics has introduced a fully automated Skid Steer Excavator - expects to have on job site 2018. Opportuinity to pilot on infrastructure construction projects with fixed haul truck routes. Built Robotics has introduced a fully automated Skid Steer Excavator - expects to have on job site 2018.
Applications to the Construction Industry
Vehicles and machinery form an important part of the construction process. Loaders scoop dirt and gravel, bulldozers scrape and move dirt, cranes lift high and heavy objects, and trucks transport material. Moreover, cars, buses, transport engineers and labor workers around the construction site. With costs of vehicles and plants making up x% of a construction project, there is much room for improvement. Semi-autonomous technologies are already being used in offshore pipeline projects.
We think that there is a high potential for the use of autonomous vehicles across the construction industry in many ways. However, they are especially apt for long distance, cross country projects such as pipelines and train lines. The long distances, often in remote areas makes it difficult for labor workers .
Case Study: Komatsu’s site grading system
In 2013, Komatsu paired their Intelligent Machine Control (IMC) equipment such as the D61i-23 dozer with drones from Skycatch – a San Fraciso based startup. The operation begins with Drones equipped with laser scanning technologies hovering over the site to create a topographical survey and 3D model of the terrain. This is then compared to 3D models of the finished site plans to determine the work required to grade the terrain.
Using Komatsu’s proprietary cloud-based solution, KomConnect, data is then transmitted to machines equipped with IMC. Using AI, the the machine can then determine its mode operation from rough cut to finish grade and the amount of excavation required. Additionally, with load sensing hydraulics, it can determine the amount of soil the equipment can handle without damage, and auto stop control minimizes over excavation such that equipment stops when it reaches design surface thus minimizing damage to it.
Other Industries
Mining/Transportation
News and References
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