Electrification and Automation Will Bring Productivity Gains to Construction
There is a greater emphasis on electrification and automation of systems as well as entire machines in the construction equipment industry due to the many benefits which can be achieved such as reduced maintenance and improved ease of use.
“There's a lot of new technologies coming that will enable us to do more things in the future, and it's all about making our customers more productive,” said Joel Honeyman, vice president of global innovation at Bobcat Co. “When we look at electrification and autonomy, those are two really big pieces that we see that can help.”
Because of the productivity benefits possible with electrification and automation, Bobcat has embarked on a journey to build believable pilot machines utilizing these technologies. In 2022, the company introduced the T7X all-electric compact track loader which was followed up by the release of the S7X all-electric skid steer loader in 2023.
Both machines utilize electric actuation in place of hydraulics for various machine functions which Honeyman said reduces noise and vibrations while also allowing for more precise cylinder positioning information to be gained, benefiting overall operation.
For automation, the company is taking more of a step-by-step approach. It first introduced its MaxControl technology about 4 years ago for remote control as a basic first step and in 2024 is launching a collision warning and avoidance system using radar sensors. This will help prevent operators from running into objects or people and is a necessary component for autonomy. When these technologies start to be combined, he said it becomes possible to autonomously move materials or drive from one point to another.
In this interview with Power & Motion, Honeyman discusses Bobcat’s focus on electrification and automation for the construction equipment industry, the technologies enabling it and how he sees customer uptake progressing. This is the first in a two-part interview series with Honeyman; watch the second part "What is the Future of Hydraulics in Construction Equipment?"
