XCMG has partnered with Insta360 to develop remote operation systems for its pneumatic rollers. The system was unveiled in October at the 2021 United Nations Global Sustainable Tranport Conference. It is currently operating in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China with the machines controlled thousands of miles away in Beijing. In addition to compactors, this solution is applicable to other construction equipment including tower cranes, excavators, and unmanned aerial vehicles, according to XCMG.
The teleoperation solution use the Insta360 Pro 2 360 camera positioned on the top of the equipment. The camera live streams ultra-high-quality 360 footage and provides imagery for the remote operator over 5G.
“The 5G intelligent cabin solution is compatible with a variety of construction machinery and equipment,” said Liu Xiaodong, chief engineer for XCMG Road Intelligent Control Research Institute, in a prepared statement. “Expert operators no longer need to be on-site to drive construction vehicles, and additional drivers can also remotely assist with construction activities when difficult tasks need to be completed.”
According to Insta360, remote operation of a job site has many benefits.
Benefits of remote operation of construction sites
- Improved worker safety: Insta360 suggests that over 66 percent of on-site personnel could be eliminated. Without a manual driver, construction machinery can now continue working in extreme environments without putting the operator’s safety at risk.
- Saving of time and money: Construction work can be completed without the limitations of manual labor. Projects could be finished in half the time. Remote operators less expensive than onsite.
How does XCMG’s teleoperation work?
The XCMG XP305AI roller comes with a 5G communication module, vehicle remote control system, LiDAR sensor and Insta360 Pro 2.
- The 360 camera captures high-quality panoramic image data from the construction site.
- The 5G communication module transmits the data directly into the intelligent cabin for the remote operator to view in real time.
- The LiDAR sensor provides point-cloud-precision measurement data which is also shared with the remote operator.
Operators monitor in real time through the panoramic viewing screens located in the intelligent cabin or through wearing VR goggles. Operators can make judgements based on the construction task at hand and transmit the instructions back to the control unit of the vehicle. This system gives operators full immersive inspection and machine control capabilities.
Insta360 will continue to innovate and deliver 360 technologies across a range of industries with the mission to help companies like XCMG pioneer new groundbreaking solutions.
Source: Insta360, XCMG
