Gravis Robotics Autonomy Here and Now!

Whether us old school operators like it or not, autonomy in construction machinery is coming and coming fast!

Personally, I find it all quite a scary proposition, but it’s a fact that many companies are finding it harder and harder to find experienced machine operators with the skills required to do the job and indeed the right work ethic, willing to turn up everyday and do a proper day’s work.

Another problem I see these days, is that unlike my generation, a vast majority of youngsters have absolutely no interest in having a career as a heavy plant operator, preferring a role sat at a desk on a computer, and this is the reason we are seeing a real push towards autonomy, in addition to cutting down on labour costs for big contractors.  

One Swiss based company that we visited during Bauma was Gravis Robotics, who are really pushing the boundaries of this mind-blowing technology.

Gravis presented their offerings at a modest stand on the outskirts of the showground, but their systems were being demonstrated all around the showground on machine collaborations with Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME), HD Hyundai Xitesolution, DEVELON Europe, CNH, Yanmar, Sumitomo & Menzi Muck AG -Milestone MOU with Holcim+ HD Hyundai Xitesolution (the holding company for HD Hyundai Infracore and its DEVELON Europe brand).

I have my own reservations, but you have to say this technology is quite amazing and will only get better as the years go by and uptake increases. Fleets of autonomous dumptrucks have been working in the big mines in places such as Australia and Canada for many years now, quite successfully, and this will become more common in the future.

Checkout the Gravis Robotics Bauma video below.