Page 12 - COAug2022

COVER STORY

using currently available technologies included savings in energy, Doosan Infracore’s ‘transparent bucket’ system has been
water, materials and human resources. They also highlighted selected as a finalist in the Digitalisation category of the Bauma
that they were capable of reducing the cost of projects and the 2022 Innovation Awards. Doosan’s Transparent Bucket is said
operational cost of buildings. to allow the wheel loader driver to see blind spots in front of
Operating heavy machinery requires a certain degree of skill, the bucket on the machine, using the monitor in the cab. The
but researchers are devising new methods to transfer intelligence innovative system records images in front of the wheel loader
from human operators to machines. In a write-up, Dr. Tom Fiske, with top and bottom front-loaded cameras and shows combined
principal technology strategist at Yokogawa, reasoned that the images on the cab monitor in real-time using a curved projection
transition from industrial automation to industrial autonomy is method. Doosan officials claim that they are the ‘first company in
the next step. To bring that concept to life, the SRI International the world’ to develop and apply a front projection function with the
research institute has designed a prototype excavator, which, Transparent Bucket for construction machines and have applied
in addition to traditional controls, can also be operated using for patents in Korea, North America, Europe and China.
a remote controller and is equipped with the smarts to perform A Doosan spokesperson commented, “As machinery and site
several tasks autonomously. The excavator is equipped with a safety standards continue to be significantly raised around the
front-facing stereo camera to give operators a high-definition world, advanced safety systems have become a key factor in Annular Piston PST Clutch F/R Clutch LSD Clutch
view of their work area. Moreover, the excavator can be operated selecting equipment. We plan to continue developing safety
remotely with the help of a controller, which could help improve features that can protect drivers and other workers on site, and
the operator’s safety, especially in a tricky situation. A trained we aim to be at the forefront in creating construction sites that are
operator wearing an augmented reality (AR) headset can see safer and accident-free.”
what the excavator sees with the help of six stereo cameras. The The solution is expected to be commercialized by 2025. In
system can be operated remotely from a distant workstation, addition, Hyundai Doosan Infracore plans to complete verification
potentially enabling skilled workers to operate the machine from in phases of individual technologies such as topography
a control station situated outside the actual construction site. measurement using drones, data
analysis and unmanned operation and
The CHANGE MAKERS management of construction equipment,
Contractors see upwards of 20% improvement in productivity and release them in the market sequentially.
through Smart Construction. Today, an increasing number of “Automated and unmanned machinery
construction sites are already leveraging many Smart Construction that applies advanced Information and Master Cylinder Slave Cylinder Wheel Cylinder PM Valve
techniques, such as machine control, which directly contributes to Communication Technology (ICT), such as
improved profitability and operator efficiency. Smart Construction artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud,
technologies can assist in getting the work done right the first will be the future trend of construction equipment market,” said
time, minimizing wear and tear on equipment, reducing fuel Young-cheul Cho, CEO, Hyundai Doosan Infracore, during an
consumption, optimizing equipment combinations, and more. interview.
In a time where margins are squeezed, contractors are using smart In another development, the company has been implementing
construction to become more profitable, gain market share, and the “Concept-X” project, which spearheads the implementation
win bids. of the future construction site by converging and integrating

12 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|AUGUST 2022