Dirt Talk: Will Machines Need Operators in the Future?
March 19, 2009
With the increasing automation of construction machines, it's time to look to the future. Harry Ward is now wondering if we are entering a new era with this technology that requires even fewer people—an era where the heavy equipment doesn’t need an operator!"
Read Harry's column here and post your comments below.
Comments (1)Post a Comment
Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to the magazine.
Title: Catch 22
By: Bud Nordman
Posted: March 19, 2009 1:02 PM
I believe there will be operator-less earthmoving equipment before there are driver-less cars. It could be used in an open construction site with a large area or a long roadway to be graded and a minimum of avoidance controls will be necessary due to the low number of problematic scenarios. The number of on-site persons are controlled, construction sites are not public roads, and workers can be trained in safety around this type of equipment.
The unions will protest just like they did against the robotic welders in car manufacturing plants. I agree with them that it is a problem right now with the unemployment levels, but when this economic slowdown is over, there will still be the labor shortage there was before it started.
Just as certain projects lend themselves to be suited to GPS-guided machine control, operator-less heavy equipment will be suitable only for certain projects. This may be a greater problem to overcome than the technology itself. Expensive, specialized equipment has to be usable on every project in order to justify the economics. To answer your question, Is it possible? The answer is yes, but who can afford it until it becomes more mainstream? Catch 22 anyone?