Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1515056
I DA U N I V E R S A L J a n u a r y - Fe b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 21 Remote technology allows the operators to be completely off site, or, using LOS technology, they can position themselves in a boom li or scissor li for a better view and see exactly what the equipment is doing. Other applications include construction in holes and large trenches into which a machine would have to be manually raised and lowered, narrow sites at precarious elevations, and coal barges. Addressing workforce is- sues Managers may also be able to solve workforce problems using remote-control technology. "Whether it's a pipeline job or a quarry in a remote location, customers struggle with getting those qualifi ed operators who have to o en travel long distances, so you can imagine being able to now off er a remote location near a highly populated area," Plumkin says. "Now these operators don't have to travel an hour or two to the remote location. "And now that you're in that offi ce environment, you can take a person in a wheel- chair and bring them right up to that station and they can perform work they'd normally be excluded from," Plumkin says. For the latest genera- tion of workers, there's the gamifi cation aspect of remote operation with controls, a console, and, depending on the distance, video feeds. " ere's an appeal for these younger generations, 'I'm going to be operating a machine that's remotely operated and I get paid to do it,'" Plumkin says. In addition, training can be had from more experienced operators, as they can sit right next to the less experienced operator off ering instant feedback. Other major OEMs are in the remote-control arena, too, including Komatsu, Volvo, and Bobcat. A ermarket solutions for retrofi t are an option as well, from companies like Built Robotics, Trimble, and Teleo. Teleo recently retrofi tted iron for three fl eets around the U.S. One of them was Tomahawk Construction, a Florida-based excavation and site development company. It is deploying Teleo technology on 12 articulated dump trucks for land development of residen- tial subdivisions, a retirement community, and commercial businesses. "We have had two trucks sitting around for months without operators in them," said Scott Lyons, managing member, Tomahawk is excavator has plenty of room at the moment. Distance from the wall, distance from the wires. But what if it didn't? at's where remote- control operation can enter the equation—from outside the fence line. Construction, in a statement. "With Teleo, more people will be attracted to this job because they can run trucks from our offi ce and save hours of drive time to and from job sites. Due to the current labor market, we know going forward we need to do more with less. I believe the Teleo system is the vehicle to make that happen." "We founded Teleo to help contractors supercharge their operators' eff orts by turning their equipment into semi- autonomous machines," said Vinay Shet, Teleo co-founder and CEO, in a statement. "By moving the operator out of the cab of the machine and into a command center, we're also making the operator's role safer, comfortable, and more accessible." ● www.onstructionequipment.com 12/23 Trends continued on page 27