Engineers continually seek ways to improve construction machinery. This can be done many ways. For instance, an advanced user interface could enhance the operator experience. Vehicles could use less fuel or generate fewer emissions. They could operate more safely and reliably. What if they could diagnose themselves and resolve their issues quickly and with no downtime?
Technology can certainly help, but the revolutions in technology and their impact on construction machinery presents challenges for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and vehicle designers. Although innovations such as machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and the Internet of Things (IoT) using wireless devices and the cloud may well represent the future, they pose a dilemma for the design engineer.
While the benefits may seem clear, engineers need to weight the impact of design changes against the overall improvement in the operation of the equipment and the added value to the business.
Heavy Equipment and Connectivity
One of the areas of development that has a high impact on the construction industry is the use of wireless technology to provide connectivity for heavy equipment. People have become accustomed to a high degree of connectivity in their daily lives, in large part due to the widespread use of tablets and smartphones. The connected construction machine uses these devices combined with cloud computing, allowing for the storage and sharing of data, as well as widespread access to information and services.
Telematic solutions for remote monitoring of construction machinery have been available for several years; typically, it involved having a cell modem installed on the machine to provide Internet access. However, this approach requires each machine to have its own cell phone plan, which makes the cost of these solutions often higher than the benefit gained from remote monitoring.
A more cost-effective approach tethers an Internet connection through mobile devices and makes use of the data plans already in place. This way, no separate cell plan is required for the machine itself, bringing down the cost for this functionality.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications
IoT represents an exponentially growing technology that provides connectivity and functionality in the cloud environment. Combining this with wireless technologies, attractive options for construction machinery are possible in the areas of remote monitoring, M2M interfaces, data logging and theft tracking. Customized apps can be easily developed for any platform, integrating smartphone features, such as GPS, weather and maps, and used to interface with the vehicle control system.
Wireless technology brings exciting capabilities, and the use of its features should improve and enhance the vehicle control system, which remains the primary focus of functionality and productivity. Networks of controllers, sensors, actuators and displays should work together to provide the desired functionality for construction equipment and to improve its performance.
The Role of Software
Perhaps the most important aspect that ties all of the vehicle technologies together is the software that runs on each electronic component. Software allows designers to customize the behavior of the equipment to implement features, improve performance and provide the desired “feel” of the machine.
Since the software is usually customized for each application, this can be the differentiating factor that brings value to one machine over the competition. While software development for construction machinery can be challenging, the benefits far outweigh the efforts of implementation.
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for any construction machine, there are certainly new trends and technologies that can bring benefits to any vehicle. Technology that supports vehicle connectivity, including wireless devices and the cloud, represents the future trends in mobile functionality.
Free Webinar and White Paper
For an in-detail analysis of intelligent construction machinery, wireless controls and mobile systems, readers may want to tune into this webinar, “The Connected Construction Machine: The Integration of Wireless Technologies with Mobile Control Systems,” that will take place Feb. 18. A related white paper, “The Connected Construction Machine,” is available as well.
Paul Gomori is an application engineering manager at JCA Electronics where he is focused on business development, new applications and new markets. He has more than 15 years of experience in the development of mobile controls for the construction, agriculture and transportation industries. Gomori has worked with customers around globe in a wide variety of applications, and he continues to utilize his experience to develop strategies for new product development and innovation.
This article has been sponsored by JCA Electronics. They have no editorial input. All opinions are mine. — Paul Gomori