Komatsu Ltd. has begun launches of the PC200i-10 and PC210LCi-10 intelligent Machine Control (iMC) hydraulic excavators. Introduced to the United States in November, Komatsu is working to aggressively promote them in advanced countries that lead ICT-based construction.
With these iMC hydraulic excavators, Komatsu has achieved the world’s first iMC technology, which controls boom, arm and bucket without damaging the target surface by checking the position data of their bucket teeth received by their GNSS (GPS and GLONASS) antenna and the GNSS base station on their job site against the design data.
Following the iMC dozers launch last year, these iMC hydraulic excavators represent the second iMC machines for Komatsu, making the project easier, quicker and safer.
When the bucket teeth of the PC200i-10 and PC210LCi-10 reach the target surface, their boom, arm and bucket automatically stop movements, or the teeth move along the target surface, thanks to their assistance function. The operator can then continue excavating without worrying about overcutting.
Both iMC models can eliminate a considerable amount of work, such as staking and surveying, which are required for conventional construction; they can help customers not only improve their production efficiency but also enhance safety at jobsites by reducing the number of surveyors who work near the machines.
Komatsu is also promoting the "visualization" of construction work by integrating KOMTRAX (Komatsu Machine Tracking System) and the construction management system. In the near future, Komatsu is going to achieve effective unified management of information concerning both the operating conditions of the machines and the progress of construction, such as the volume of hauled soil, through web services.
By deploying iMC construction equipment at construction jobsites, Komatsu will become able to incorporate more accurate job site information into this system.
Komatsu is well prepared to create innovation for new values by accelerating the pace of the business model shift from conventional sales and service of construction equipment to provision of total solutions for ICT-based construction.
