www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS September 2025 33 properly, costly rework or accelerated road deterioration could result. By using autonomous functionality, these machines can compact soil or roll asphalt with proper overlaps and accuracy regardless of the operator. Additionally, an operator in a tandem roller with a limited field of view can be more aware of their surroundings. Development efforts focused on obstacle detection and avoidance are particularly relevant in construction because large machines tend to have large blind spots. Accidents still occur because a driver didn’t see someone standing or working near the machine. Damage to nearby structures is also common. Collisions can be prevented by adding obstacle detection functionality to machines. Path recording and following is another example of semi-autonomous operation relevant to construction. Such functionality is ideal for pipeline and power line work as well as other applications in which a machine needs to follow a long stretch of road or ground. This functionality enables an operator to drive a path, recording speed, waypoints, and tasks the machine does. A less experienced operator can then manage the machine as it follows the recorded path. Blind spot detection has already proven successful in construction, as have semi-autonomous functions that enable inexperienced operators to rely on the machine. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the construction industry have introduced advanced operator-assist features that ensure consistent, repeatable work. Auto-grade and auto-dig in excavators and boom kick-out and bucket positioning in wheel loaders are examples of functions we already see on job sites. Automation of such precision tasks that would otherwise require skill gained through years of experience is an ideal area for further development. Autonomy in construction is ultimately about finding the right use cases. For example, solar farm construction would be ideal as the sites require numerous post placements at precise intervals. On megaprojects, haulers could be automated if they operate only within the confines of the site. This would mimic quarrying or mining operations, where rock haulers transport loads from excavators to a rock crusher or conveyor system. In fact, two haulers and one excavator could be operated simultaneously by one operator. The operator would record paths in each dump truck then oversee the trucks while operating the excavator. Overcoming the challenges of automation Autonomy has the potential to unlock significant advantages in the construction industry, making the choice between machines with and without autonomous functionality an easy one for contractors. For OEMs, however, automating machines is not always easy. The process presents new challenges, with considerations for software and hardware. Autonomy requires perception sensors such as lidar and radar, global positioning, high-power processors, and other technologies that may be new to design engineers. These technologies are not plug-and-play, and the sensors are not one-size-fits-all. Each application and environment has unique needs that demand different solutions, and there’s a significant amount of engineering work required to integrate these devices and services into a system. Another challenge is knowing exactly what and how to automate. Single-use machinery that performs repetitive tasks, such as soil compactors, are relatively simple and straightforward to automate. But many types of construction machines are multifunctional. Skid steer loaders and excavators, for example, can perform many different operations. This means there’s many more tasks that can be automated. In addition, construction machinery often operates in complex, ever-changing job sites rather than a single, static environment, which makes autonomous operation more challenging. Autonomy offers a lot of potential and exciting engineering possibilities. But just because it can be done, doesn’t necessarily mean it should be done. OEMs need to identify the problem they want to solve as early in the design process as possible — preferably in the ideation phase. This requires bringing together the product teams, systems teams, software teams, and autonomy experts before any lines of code are written. Larger OEMs typically have established in-house teams focused on solving such engineering challenges. With the construction machinery market dominated by several large OEMs, small to mid-sized OEMs are at risk of falling behind. Today, however, many suppliers and systems integrators offer solutions for automating machines. The Danfoss autonomy team, for example, offers products and services that support the full machine development cycle, including software, hardware, and engineering services. By building upon a foundation of field-tested solutions, smaller OEMs can take steps to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry, positioning themselves for the future of autonomous machinery. Autonomy as a solution for workforce challenges The benefits of autonomous and semiautonomous machines for both OEMs and the wider construction industry are significant. While development requires close collaboration and strategic planning, autonomy can increase safety, boost productivity, and enable greater precision. As such, autonomy can provide a solution for the lack of skilled labor in construction, and deliver results quickly. While workforce development takes time and cannot solve the labor shortage alone, autonomous technology offers a way forward, allowing contractors to achieve even more with limited resources. i https://www.ela.europa.eu/ sites/default/files/2024-05/EURESShortages_Report-V8.pdf ii https://www.citb.co.uk/aboutcitb/news-events-and-blogs/over-250-000extra-construction-workers-required-by2028-to-meet-demand/
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