The Rise of Autonomous Equipment
Autonomous equipment is a type of technology that performs specific tasks without manual human assistance. In the construction industry, this can include excavators, cranes, dozers and haul trucks. Machines are controlled remotely or within a line of sight. The hope is that autonomous and remotecontrolled heavy equipment will revolutionize the industry, making it safer, more efficient and productive.
In its report,“ Autonomous Off-road Vehicles and Machinery Market,” Credence Research speaks to the remarkable growth and valuation the sector is forecasted to witness by the year 2032. Interestingly, North America has led the trend, accounting for nearly 40 % of the global market share, with Asia- Pacific noted as the“ most rapidly expanding market for autonomous off-road vehicles and machinery.”
As the technology advances, fully autonomous equipment isn ' t far from making its way onto construction sites within the next decade. In fact, similar industries have already adopted and integrated certain devices and technologies.
Fully- and semi-autonomous vehicles are most commonly used in mining operations. In this sector, automation is attractive as most operations occur in remote areas where the labor force is lacking. Production often takes place on semi-permanent roads and underground, providing companies with a safe and secure working area.
In construction, major companies like Caterpillar, Volvo and Built Robotics are experimenting with and actively developing autonomous and remote-controlled heavy-duty machinery.
Examples and applications of automation in construction include:
• Drones- used for inspections and surveying job sites.
• Autonomous haul trucks- mostly used in mining and other large earth moving and
14 • 800-247-2000 • August 2024