Volvo ControlTech, sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment, envisions the future of in-cab operator environments in 2030. This forward-thinking project integrates Site Management for managers, Remote Control for operators, and a Modular System for cab interiors, aiming to enhance construction efficiency and operator experience through technological advancements.
In Collaboration With: Freddie Jiang, Haoran Xu
Instructors: Chris Chapman, Nathan Allen, Todd Masilko
My team and I spent an entire day at Volvo Construction Equipment & Services in Corona, CA, with our class, observing and experiencing firsthand how construction workers operate on a construction site. Based on our observations, we identified three key areas where technology can be leveraged to close existing gaps.
Perform tasks without being physically present in the hazardous environment
Allow one worker to monitor multiple machines at the same time
Access hard-to-reach areas, such as underground mines or high-altitude construction sites
Stay away from dirt and bad weather conditions, and able to task breaks more flexibly
It's 8 a.m. in 2030, and Max finishes his morning conference with the construction team. They've discussed the day's tasks and planned the most efficient approach. As the meeting ends, Max gets a notification about a new task assigned to him.
The remote cab connects to the wheel loader on the construction site through WiFi. The controller in the remote cab operates both the wheel loader and a camera-equipped drone on the construction site.
This integration significantly enhances operational efficiency and safety, as operators can manage equipment from a distance, reducing the risk of onsite accidents. The drone provides a bird's-eye view, allowing for precise, real-time monitoring of the site, which is instrumental in making informed decisions quickly.
Enhanced connectivity and diverse vantage points on construction sites significantly increase safety and efficiency through our software integration.
Our redesigned controller simplifies operation by mimicking the wheel loader's movements, merging movement and rotation controls for a more natural experience. This synchronization of tilt and rotation with joystick movements allows operators to control the machine with precision and ease, making tasks like bucket loading and unloading straightforward with a simple press of the top button.
Utilizing multiple camera angles from both the machine and drones offers a comprehensive view of the construction site. This not only enhances operational awareness for vehicle operators and the site team but also significantly improves safety and the efficiency of the construction process.
Featuring a live video feed and graphical displays of the machine's status, including loader arms position and load weight, this enhancement offers critical data at a glance. It greatly improves operator safety and facilitates the training and automation of construction processes, making precision tasks more manageable.
Experiencing haptic feedback through seat vibrations or tilts when encountering obstacles or veering off the road provides operators with immediate physical cues. This direct feedback enhances the driving experience by increasing awareness and reaction times, further ensuring operator safety and contributing to a smoother operation.
To best simulate the remote control experience we’re aiming to create, we built a Unity demo using VR and game controllers to replicate the visual and haptic feedback.
Why Site Management Software is Essential in Construction
The site manager creates a new task to transport construction waste from the demolition area to the waste area.
The hardware backbone for both the Site Management and Remote Control systems. It allows rapid adaptation to new technologies and offers customization.
We believe everyone is unique, including their habits when using these machines. Thanks to the modular system, we can easily move the controller from one side to another.
The remote cab could set up the exact same way as the onsite cabs. In this way, we could achieve the maximum level of simulation.
Designed for the emergency situation, this feature allows another operator to set up their cab modularly and remotely take over any on-site cab.
A greater picture behind this, is that now it’s possible to use one remote cab to control different types of machines, as we are getting more vehicles remote controlled. Operators can easily configure remote cabs according to task category.
The modular feature reveals potential of subscription services
The fleet could subscribe to modules with the latest technologies, or rent specific type of modules based on projects, and delivered to job site.
