Shared 2 April, 2025
KOBELCO Construction Machinery Europe B.V. (KCME), wholly owned by KOBELCO Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Japan and dedicated to the sales and service of crawler excavators, demolition excavators and crawler cranes, has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Leica Geosystems and Xwatch Safety Solutions, both part of Hexagon, to drive the evolution of excavation with the innovative K-DIVE® remote operation system.
This partnership aims to transform jobsite operations in Europe by integrating digitalisation, automation, and enhanced safety into one platform. By combining KOBELCO’s vision for remote operations, Leica Geosystems’ machine control solutions and Xwatch’s safety technology, the partnership sets a new industry standard for digital transformation in construction. The integration of these technologies directly addresses critical industry challenges by mitigating labour shortages through remote operation capabilities, enhancing jobsite safety with advanced 3D avoidance systems and promoting sustainable construction practices by optimising machine efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
“This collaboration marks a major step towards the future of digital construction in Europe,” says Makoto Kato, Managing Director and Excavator Division Director at KOBELCO Construction Machinery Europe. “By leveraging remote operation, digital workflows, and advanced safety solutions, we are redefining what is possible on the jobsite — bringing efficiency, safety and connectivity to a new level. We are very excited to demonstrate this technology at bauma 2025 in a dedicated pavilion that allows us to perform live demonstrations across the world.”
“Integrating 3D machine control and semi-automatic technology into remote operation systems, heavy construction customers can unlock productivity and efficiency. This integration allows operators to execute complex tasks with precision, even when they’re far away from the site,” says Neil Williams, President of the Machine Control Division at Leica Geosystems.
“Safety is at the core of everything we do,” says Dan Leaney, Sales Director for Xwatch Safety Solutions. “With our 3D avoidance zone technology integrated into the remote operation workflow, we are setting new standards in hazard prevention, ensuring operators can work remotely with confidence and enhanced protection.”
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