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Fully autonomous excavators ‘key to a new era’

 

A fleet of fully autonomous excavators have been launched in Queensland to dig pipeline trenches across the Surat Basin.

MPC Kinetic has launched its first fully autonomous excavators in Queensland, with more to come as the company aims to extend autonomous excavation operations.

The Brisbane headquartered resource and construction firm has, for the first time, trialled a fully automated 36-tonne excavator using an artificial intelligence system created by US technology start-up Built Robotics.

MPC Kinetic has continued to work with Built Robotics with the launch of excavators to dig pipeline trenches across Queensland’s Surat Basin.

For MPC Kinetic business unit leader Richard Butler, the machines will help jumpstart a new era of earthmoving equipment.

“We see autonomous earthmoving equipment as the key to building a new era of construction here in Australia,” Butler said. “We see the development of innovative solutions like fully autonomous excavation as a win for our crews, our company, and importantly, our clients.

“For us, it’s not about replacing our people, it’s about freeing up our skilled workers from simple, repetitive tasks, and letting them focus on the more technical and critical duties within our operations.”

At a time when site activity in Australia is being reduced due to tighter travel restrictions surrounding COVID-19, Butler said autonomous vehicles have become a valuable asset.

“Safety and efficiency will always be at the core of MPC Kinetic’s culture, but it’s innovative solutions like automation that enable us to deliver a value for our business and partners,” Butler said.

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