Taylor Woodrow and Gravis Robotics have announced the successful completion of a full site-based trial of its new autonomous excavator, the SV100-7.
The trial, which took place at its Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), consisted of a dedicated demonstration site that was created for the innovation team to demonstrate the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered machine. Taylor Woodrow reported that the excavator successfully completed a series of exercises, including excavation to various depths in differing ground conditions, real-time Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) capture of the excavation, autonomous manoeuvring and emergency safe stop.
The trial was based on an upcoming project to see how the automated machine would perform if deployed there, and was overseen by site managers, machine operators and engineers who were all instructed to act as if this were a real project.
The automated excavator consists of a standard excavator from Yanmar Construction Equipment and the Gravis autonomous control kit, which is attached to the roof of the machine and allows for it to act autonomously with an operator supervising remotely. Taylor Woodrow state that, with the use of this new AI technology, it believes that it will be able to 'transform how physical work is done' by 'increasing inclusivity, productivity, safety, and accuracy whilst reducing environmental impact and waste'.
The next step is for the SV100-7 to 'go live' at Taylor Woodrow’s project at Manchester Airport.
Phil Skegg, managing director of Taylor Woodrow, said: ‘Over the last 10 years our industry safety record has not improved, and our productivity has declined. As an industry around 20% of the cost of what we build can be attributed to not getting it right first time (GIRI).
‘We believe that increasing the mechanisation and automation of the tasks we undertake on site will help address these problems, removing people from danger, being more productive and improving quality of workmanship. Computer controlled machines could be the way forward and as an industry leader we want to be an early adopter and trial what is available.
‘This is an exciting first step made possible by our partnership with Gravis Robotics supported by Yanmar Construction Equipment and AMRC.’
Image credit: Taylor Woodrow
