In conjunction with the heavy industry manufacturer’s 100th anniversary which fell on May 13, 2021, Komatsu Ltd unveiled their latest remote-controlled mini excavator powered by only a single lithium-ion battery.
According to the CEO of the company, Hiroyuki Ogawa, the fully electric non-hydraulic drive mini excavator is a significant milestone in their showcase of next-generation concept machines that is seeking to change the future of construction projects for the better.
The PC30E has effectively established a foundation for the development of other fully electric construction equipment which is expected to be a compulsory aspect of the future.
The elimination of exhaust fumes, excessive noise, or heat will provide workers at construction sites cleaner, safer, and stress-free environment. The concept excavator is an electric-based 3-ton class excavator with a bucket capacity of 0.09 m3 is attributed to Komatsu’s accumulated technological knowledge gained over the decades via the development of electric forklifts and mini excavators.
The PC3OE incorporates a variety of new technologies including the lithium-ion battery that it runs on apart from the electric cylinders minus the hydraulics. The machine is also maintenance-free due to the absence of hydraulic elements which suffer wear and tear rapidly.
The punch line is of course the fact that the machine does not require an operator in the cab.
The control of the excavator is conducted remotely from a long-range wireless device connected via wireless LAN which eliminates the need for special facilities to be installed which is a norm with conventional remote-control systems.
In essence, the PCE excavator offers a new working style where operators may control the vehicle from just about anywhere which reduces the level of fatigue significantly which in turn improves the level of productivity.
In other words, this means that the machine will eliminate the dangers faced by traditional operators when performing tasks in confined sites or sites that are deemed as dangerous sites, such as indoor demolition and rescue work when disaster strikes.
The machine is already under the wheels of commercialization in Japan at the moment and Komatsu plans to introduce such mini excavators to Europe by 2022.
This type of machinery could also transform the excavator hire industry as the entire initiative is also driven by the fact that Komatsu intends to lead the market with construction equipment with a minimal environmental impact which has become the company’s mission within the next century.
Over the years, Komatsu Ltd has moved forward strategically avoiding the pitfalls often experienced by other manufacturers, and by doing so, the company has managed to increase value for stakeholders and shareholders.
The need to have a sustainable future and be friendly to the environment from every perspective has been recognized by the industry leader and the Komatsu team knows that the only way to achieve this objective is via technology innovation.
Mr. Hiroyuki Ogawa also quoted that the only way for the planet, businesses, and people to thrive together is to empower a sustainable future and it must start now.