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Rise in infrastructure development is resulting in increased construction activities and creating a greater demand for heavy duty construction equipment like earthmoving equipment. Earthmoving equipment is one of the fastest growing segments in heavy equipment for the construction industry. At the same time, the earthmoving equipment is continuing to advance with new innovations and technologies to benefit the industry. Some of the top benefits include safe operation, increased accuracy, greater productivity, improved efficiency and lower operating costs, just to name a few.

Technologies that allow equipment to dig faster or grade more accurately are beneficial on an individual level. But when multiple technologies can work together, an entire jobsite becomes more efficient. In the construction industry, the earthmoving sector is among the pioneers in adopting new technologies. The earthmoving equipment manufacturing industry has embraced various innovative technologies to make equipment smarter, safer, and more productive.

In recent years, construction equipment brands have developed and launched one-of-a-kind features for their earthmoving machines as technology advances and new features become increasingly important on jobsites.

Digitization

Digitization or digitalization is one of the major trends shaping the earthmoving equipment industry. Digitization advancement relates to the gathering, transmission, and analysis of data or information. Commonly used terms like Internet of Things (IoT) and telematics fall within this area of innovation. Digitization is working its way deeper and deeper into the earthmoving equipment industry. For one simple reason: Construction sites themselves are increasingly becoming more digital.

State-of-the-art excavators, loaders and bulldozers are equipped with a broad range of sensors and communication interfaces. The data that is produced by this equipment and then analysed, makes it possible to check the equipment’s on-the-job performance, fuel consumption and locations, to define predictive maintenance, to more precisely determine operating costs and to manage entire fleets via telematics. Digitization also facilitates efforts to automate work processes, an increasingly important factor in light of the shortage of skilled workers faced by the construction industry.

Digitalization allows for remote monitoring and support of equipment. Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity enables manufacturers to gather real-time data from operating equipment. This data can monitor equipment performance, diagnose issues remotely, and provide timely support and troubleshooting. Remote monitoring eliminates the need for physical inspections, reduces travel costs, and minimizes equipment downtime.

Automation

One of the biggest advancements in earthmoving equipment technology is automation, which has the potential to revolutionize the way they are used and operated. Automation allows machines to function more efficiently, reduce operator fatigue and error, and perform tasks that would be impossible for a human to accomplish. Additionally, automation can help companies keep equipment in the fields or on the worksite operation despite a labour shortage.

Earthmoving equipment now comes equipped with autonomous capabilities, enabling it to complete repetitive tasks with precision and accuracy without human involvement or intervention in hazardous or repetitive operations. This not only increases efficiency but also decreases accidents and injuries. While fully autonomous construction equipment remains an aspiration, the automation of certain machine functions is helping build a bridge to that future state.

Remote control technology is another high-value advancement. Remote control technology allows equipment to operate without a person physically present, can assist operators where labour is not available and in isolated or dangerous locations where deploying human labour is not practical.

Safety

Earthmoving equipment has also continued to get safer over the years. Safety is becoming more important as the construction industry is going through a transition toward the smart construction site with fully automated and autonomous equipment.

Technologies like advanced vision systems and people detection are becoming a lot more relevant. Cameras have become more common on earthmoving equipment as a means of improving safety, offering improved visibility around a machine. They are also being paired with sensors and other safety solutions to further enhance detection capabilities.

Earthmoving equipment is also using motion sensing and facial recognition technology that keeps operators and nearby workers safe. Motion sensing technology alerts operators to nearby objects, buildings or people. Facial recognition technology can recognize operator fatigue or distractedness and interrupt operations until it is safe to proceed.

Green Energy Technology

Sustainable power represents another key area of advancement. The earthmoving equipment industry is embracing green energy technology to reduce their environmental impact and save money. From electric vehicles to renewable energy sources, the latest technologies are revolutionizing the way this industry operate.

Earthmoving equipment manufacturers are evaluating their machines to determine the best types of technologies and improvements that can be made to make the equipment more green and sustainable while enhancing the equipment’s functionality and productivity. One of the most positive impacts is creating machines that are electric power.

Battery operated electric equipment are becoming increasingly popular in the earthmoving industries. These vehicles are powered by electric batteries, eliminating the need for gasoline or diesel fuel. Electric equipment produce zero emissions, reducing their environmental impact. They are also quieter than traditional equipment, reducing noise pollution.

The construction industry is often slow to adopt new technology, so not all earthmoving equipment currently have an electric model on the market. However, equipment manufacturers are gradually rolling out new models as the technology advances.

More advanced battery technology plays a crucial role in the increasing popularity and adoption of electric earthmoving equipment. The latest advancements in battery technology have led to improvements in energy density, power output and durability, which in turn have enabled the use of electric power in larger and more demanding equipment.

Another option for reducing emissions from the earthmoving equipment is to power them with renewable fuels, such as biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells, or compressed natural gas (CNG). These fuels are derived from renewable sources and produce significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels.