Page 14 - COAug2022

COVER STORY

two new features keep the bucket edge precisely on-grade, while
increasing bucket fill factors. Each bucket is easily calibrated to
the excavator, so that the iMC system can always calculate the
bucket’s nearest point or the ‘minimum distance’ to the design
model. The iMC 2.0 system maintains a constant bucket angle,
removing the need for the operator to adjust manually, boosting
ease of operation in final grading or trimming work.
Improving productivity using digital technology has been
challenging for companies in the civil engineering and
construction industry, where the move to digitization has been
slow. To increase productivity on construction sites, Komatsu
turned to AWS’s unmatched portfolio of cloud services to help
the company’s developers around the world to collaborate quickly
using the cloud. For example, the Smart Construction Dashboard
feature of DX Smart Construction uses AWS to build a digital twin,
which is a virtual representation of a construction site. The feature
uses AWS to visualize the digital twin by connecting 3D geospatial
data of the earth’s surface collected from drones with construction
progress data collected by connected construction equipment
and drones. Leveraging Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS), a
highly secure, reliable, and scalable way to run containers, Smart
Construction Dashboard then overlays terrain data on this digital
twin, enabling Komatsu’s customers to create construction plans
and optimize the travel routes of vehicles required to transport
earth and sand.
Komatsu also offers the Smart Construction Retrofit Kit, an
add-on solution powered by AWS that brings information and
communications technology (ICT) capabilities to conventional
construction equipment. With this kit, construction equipment
operators can use a smartphone or a tablet to view 3D terrain data
that reflects the construction status in real-time and enables them
to perform independent civil engineering and construction work
with a high degree of accuracy. Additionally, this kit helps customers
better manage the operational progress of their construction sites
from anywhere. This capability enables construction managers to
adjust construction plans, including assigning tasks to workers in
real time, and reducing the environmental impact of work sites by
shortening the time required for large-scale construction projects.
Hitachi Construction Machinery envisions a construction site that
is capable of improving safety and productivity autonomously
through the mutual exchange of data about people, machinery
technologies related to ICT (Information and Communications and construction environment. By linking data in the construction
Technology) and AI (Artificial Intelligence). Concept-X is a solution- site, the company aims to improve the safety and productivity
based on technology optimized for future construction sites, such of the entire site. Equipment and sensing systems collect real-
as automated construction site surveying tasks using drones, time data in construction site, such as equipment location and
unmanned automation of equipment, and remote control-based operational status, worker location and biometric information, and
on 5G communication. Concept-X will satisfy customer needs and changes in terrain as work progresses. This accumulated data is
create new added value by increasing productivity and reducing used to analyze risks within the construction site, and the results
costs and risks based on projects completed accurately and are shared to improve safety. Reference is also made to weather
efficiently at the construction site. forecasts and other external information to prepare for future risks.
In tune to changing dynamics, Komatsu has released a significant The company has developed a system platform “ZCORE,”
update to its intelligent Machine Control (iMC) technology, known which facilitates the development of autonomous construction
as iMC 2.0, that delivers major productivity, efficiency and equipment and enhances its functionality. This is part of Hitachi
cost saving advantages to its latest model “intelligent” dozers Construction Machinery’s effort to increase safety and productivity
and excavators. New automatic features, such as Auto Grade at future construction sites in line with the company vision of man
Assist and Auto Tilt Control let the operator relax and focus on and equipment working together in a cooperative manner.
productivity, without having to worry about over digging. These ZCORE enables the equipment to recognize, judge and execute,

14 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|AUGUST 2022