Hype vs. Reality: Autonomous Construction Equipment

For some contractors, the thought of autonomous construction equipment conjures up images of massive potential damage and lots of layoffs. Others see it as an opportunity to do more with less and possibly solve their labor shortage.
But what is the reality of autonomous equipment?
To go beyond the hype and fears, Trimble’s Cameron Clark comes on The Dirt to let us know what’s here now and what’s coming soon. He also explains why full autonomy is a long way off, but how available incremental advancements can benefit contractors.
Make no mistake, “autonomy is coming,” he says. “And it’s been coming for a long time.”
He adds that there’s a lot of hype and misconception about what that means - especially for a construction site with its constant changes and varying demands. He also clues us in on testing occurring on an autonomous excavator and soil compactor.
So to find out more about one of the most feared and exciting topics in the construction industry, check out the latest episode of The Dirt.
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In This Episode:
00:00 - Autonomous Equipment: What’s Here and What’s Coming
00:39 - The Current State of Autonomous Construction Equipment
04:40 - The Challenges With Autonomous Construction Equipment
07:17 - Technological Benefits From Autonomous Research
14:08 - Why You Should Use Machine Control & Autonomous Technologies
19:16 - Technological Evolution in Construction
21:35 - Final Thoughts

[@reloadnorth7722]

I retired 4 years ago from Imperial Oil/Exxon at the Kearl Lake oil mine, where they have a fleet of Cat 797 autonomous haul trucks. I still have many contacts there who keep me up on the progression and expansion of this project. I am also told that the autonomous trucks are getting beaten because of no operator input. A computer cannot read the conditions, but only follow a pre-programmed haul route. Haul truck frames are cracking and there are many stoppages. It seems that autonomous can eliminate the driver but not the in pit issues or driver discretion.

[@slyrooster1241]

If they integrate VR, it might help eliminate that.