Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. & Nikkei BP Intelligence Group, Nikkei BP Institute of Infrastructure SPECIAL Interview

As the civil engineering and construction industry heads for a new era, What does ICT in the workplace mean for KOBELCO Construction Machinery?

Development Story 05

ICT Construction Machinery

How does Kobelco Construction Machinery respond to the “i-Construction” movement? The company talks about the future and the merits of adopting ICT into the workplace with the current social trends and technological innovations.

Hideki Kinugawa
Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
Managing Executive Officer
Excavator Sales & Marketing Division,
Marketing Business Unit, General Manager
Joined Kobe Steel, Ltd. in 1984 and involved in the development of construction machinery. In 1999, joined Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Following his stints at the Production Division, Corporate Planning & Administration Department, and Director of Marketing Department, he has been at his current post as of 2018.

Isao Adachi
Director,
Nikkei BP Institute of Infrastructure,
Nikkei BP Intelligence Group
Joined Nikkei BP Intelligence Group after his stint at an engineering firm. Following his editorial work at “Nikkei Construction”, “Nikkei Architecture”, and “Nikkei Home Builder”, he has been at his current post as of 2017.

To produce ICT construction machinery that meets the needs for both safety and effectiveness

Adachi

Labor shortage is still the top issue for the civil engineering and construction industry.

Kinugawa

That’s right. It’s particularly evident in the workplace, specifically where excavators are in use.

Adachi

I believe the population problem forms the backdrop of that problem. Over the next 30 years, population is expected to decline by about 21 million. If you look at the age structure, youths accounted for approximately 25% while the elderly stood at roughly 6% during the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. In 2020, the elderly is expected to account for about 30% while youths will stand at approximately 12%.

Kinugawa

That means the shortage of operators will become even more serious. Our analysis shows that young people tend to avoid this industry as there are many accidents due to the nature of the job. The number of domestic fatalities by work-related accidents is about 1,000 a year, and 30% out of that is related to the construction business. This number is significantly large, compared with 18% for the manufacturing business and 13% of the cargo transportation business.

Adachi

That backs up the “dangerous business” image. With the progress of the declining birth rate, parents strongly wish their children to work for safe jobs, don’t they?

Kinugawa

That’s true...

Adachi

With this situation, ICT application called “i-Construction” is currently being promoted for purpose of on-site productivity improvement. In fact, construction machinery manufacturers are focusing their efforts on developing ICT machines. What is Kobelco Construction Machinery’s policy for this movement?

Kinugawa

For our company, we are of course focused on improving on-site productivity with ICT. We are also striving to improve safety and create a jobsite "for anyone to work".

The rapid development of digital technology makes the impossible possible

Adachi

ICT construction machinery is necessary to create a jobsite for anyone to work, and that capability is controlled by the digital technology, isn’t it?

Kinugawa

That is correct.

Adachi

The evolution of a computer’s information processing capability is boundless and it is said that it evolved over 1,000 times compared with 10 years ago. To cite “deep learning” as an example, this means that a computer was only capable of recognizing one page of information a day 10 years ago. Presently, however the machine can recognize 1,000 sheets of paper per day. Also, as represented by the price decreases in HDD units, the improved efficiency of information processing has led to a cost decline for products. I believe that the performance of digital technology will continue to improve, to make today’s impossible possible for the future.

Kinugawa

The digital technology that makes the impossible possible is already being applied in our products. “Dig Nav” is one of the representatives.

Adachi

What exactly can “Dig Nav” do?

Kinugawa

Dig Nav is a system that accurately navigates an excavator’s work by using display and sound guidance based on surveying positional data. In 2017, we announced our “Dig Nav + PLUS” which accurately recreates the complex shovel work by a veteran operator with easy arm lever manipulations. With this, we made it possible for a beginner to work with the efficiency, productivity and the finishing accuracy like a professional. What’s more, we attained the elimination of finishing stakes and the personnel around the machine, resulting in significant manpower savings.

Adachi

So together with labor saving, speeding up and cost reduction, you’ve also secured safety on the construction site.

Kinugawa

Moreover, Dig Nav is compatible with the systems of 3 major survey instruments manufacturers (TOPCON, Nikon-Trimble, and Leica), allowing us to customize it according to customer’s needs.

Dig Nav + PLUS makes it possible for anyone to produce the productivity and precision of a veteran operator.
On-site opinions say that it brings even more work efficiency if a veteran uses the system.

Development Story 04：Dig Nav +PLUS

Improving the on-site “work environment” and “work-style innovation”

Adachi

5G communication standardization is scheduled for 2020. This would mean a dramatic increase in transmission capacity and speed. In a medical field, expectations are high that a doctor in Japan would be able to participate in an operation abroad. What do you imagine might be possible in the construction machinery industry?

Kinugawa

Our company has already developed its K-DIVE remote control system that is compatible with 5G and is preparing for its use in the near future. With 5G, there is no response time lag and we can recreate the feeling of “being there” through sound, vibration and tilting over remore control. I believe that it will be possible for an operator to control a machine in any part of the world without leaving his/her office or home.

Adachi

It sounds like a dream comes true. That would mean a work environment that is accessible for truly "anyone" including mothers who are raising children and individuals with physical disabilities. In the summer, individuals can work from an air-conditioned room, practically eliminating any health risks including heat stroke. It is exactly a system that will realize work style innovation.

K-DIVE, the remote control system that is the key to improve the work style

Working close with clients to propose ICT measures
according to their particular requirements

Kinugawa

With the spread of ICT, there are several changes occurring with construction machines. The customers who are using the machines are also undergoing a period of change in their management.

Adachi

In recent years, there is a tendency for generation changes in the management as well.

Kinugawa

That’s right. Customers have various thoughts including a need to undertake something new or to prioritize maintaining the status quo, as well as recognizing the necessity to implement ICT but not being able to take that first step.

Adachi

Given those conditions, what sort of merit can Kobelco provide to those customers?

Kinugawa

We maintain a posture based on “user hands-on approach”. As I’ve been saying there is a variety of lineups for Kobelco’s ICT construction machinery. In addition to providing consulting in accordance with a customer’s circumstances, we propose suggestions that are appropriate to each customer’s needs and help them arrive at a solution to any issue that is encountered on-site.

Adachi

Regardless of management policies, the age in which ICT is an absolute necessity is rapidly approaching businesses that use construction machinery. In this situation, our user hands-on approach policy reassures our customers. Digital technology has the possibility of transforming society. Recently, management has some elbow room thanks to business boom by the Olympic Games. It is the very time to prepare for tomorrow by investing. That could be the secret of success for the next generation.

Kinugawa

So, we would like to give some assistance for that.

Adachi

Lastly, can you tell us your future prospects regarding ICT construction machinery?

Kinugawa

Based on the knowledge we acquired for excavators, we plan to develop ICT cranes. For example, we would work on 3D positioning based on the XYZ axes and the optimization of lifting plans in accordance with changing boom angles. As for the frequency of customer hearing by our development teams, I believe our company is the best among construction machinery manufacturers. As we have continued to put the demands from customers into our products, we would like to hear the dreams of those who dedicate themselves to the civil engineering and construction industry of a new age. Our hope is to grow along with you.

* The contents described above is based on the information at the time of issuing (July, 2018).