Connected Construction

A series of innovations in machine control or automation technologies are helping transform the construction industry - Mike Woof writes Equipment manufacturer have made huge advances in machine performance, delivering new models that offer increased capabilities and productivity, while using less fuel. Reliability and uptime too have been improved, with the development of equipment that can forestall unplanned downtime by telling the user when it will require service attention. Meanwhile new engines delive

Topcon Positioning Group has launched in Europe the Topcon SIRIUS PRO powered by MAVinci, an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) designed to produce the most accurate solutions for automated mapping of construction sites, pipelines, disaster areas, mines, quarries and myriad sites without regard to terrain.

A complex online modelling system for integrating traffic management on the southern Californian road system has successfully completed a major operational trial this spring The "decision support system" uses the collection of data about the local interstate I-15 and many of the roads which feed into it or lead away from it, to build a comprehensive picture of traffic flows, working with a variety of city agencies, federal highway administration and services such as police and crash data. Data from e

German equipment technology specialist MOBA is increasing its stake in the Finnish firm Novatron. MOBA Mobile Automation has acquired an additional 24% stake in the Finish excavator system manufacturer Novatron and now holds a 49% total share of the business. ”The steady market growth in Scandinavia, the successful cooperation during the last three years and a close cooperation with OEM customers“, explained David Shelstad, MOBA’s vice president, as the main reasons for MOBA’s decision to intensify the part

What’s the best way to get technology to the end-user? Topcon believes it has the answer with the 2014 edition of the Topcon Technology Roadshow, previewed for industry editors this week in Livermore, Calif.

Topcon Positioning Group has unveiled a multi-platform 3D indicate grade system – i33. The new system features GPS technology and a graphical display and is said to provide a powerful indicate system at an economical price. The i33 is designed for quick installation and easy operation on many types of grading and earthmoving machinery. “It’s ideal for use on a dozer, scraper or virtually any type of machinery used for cut or fill operations,” said Kris Maas, manager of machine control product marketing f