What ever happened to the “Little Swan” ?

by Nick Drew | Wed 13 Feb 2019

What ever happened to the “Little Swan” ?

In 2015 giant Chinese construction equipment manufacturer XCMG launched a remote-controlled mini excavator which it nicknamed the Little Swan, looking like a little toy one has to wonder if it was ever really a serious proposition.

The XE15R “Little Swan” measured just 1.35m high, was 1.08 wide and had a 100m wireless range of operation. According to XCMG the machine could be taught operating manoeuvres which it could then replay back automatically. This was said to be a period of ‘intelligentisation’ of its excavators, enabling the machine to work in dangerous, toxic and extreme temperatures on its own.

According to XCMG today, they are still investing in research and development of these type of machines, but I am yet to see one in action in the metal yet. In this video the machine also stars with one of the company’s largest excavators the 400- tonne XE4000, although the company has since launched a 700-tonne model which featured at Bauma China. Will these robotic excavators be the future one has to ask?

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