Volvo CE and Trimble develop 3D upgrade for Dig Assist excavator control system

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Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced that its three-year collaboration with Trimble Inc. has resulted in the development of an integrated Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform for Volvo Dig Assist 2D machine control system. Designed for use with Volvo CE’s wheeled and crawler excavators, integrating Trimble Earthworks on Volvo excavators complements the Volvo Dig Assist capability to enable the use of 3D constructible models, as-built data, remote support, design and asset management, and other Trimble Connected Site technologies.

Machine control: key to future of automation
Using the Volvo Co-pilot as the primary user interface, there is no need for additional monitors and sensors. All that is needed is the download of the Trimble Earthworks application and the installation of an additional CPU. When Co-Pilot with Dig Assist is ordered, all the hardware that is needed is fitted onto the machine at the factory. For 3D, a customer can order Volvo Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform to also be factory fitted. The Volvo excavator then works seamlessly with the Trimble Connected Site ecosystem.

Integrating the Trimble Earthworks 3D grade control solution on Volvo excavators complements the Volvo Dig Assist capability. The addition of 3D functionality allows 3D constructible models to be wirelessly imported to the display in the cab of the machine. Ideal for larger, complex infrastructure projects, 3D designs can be imported into multiple excavators so everyone is using the same model. The user interface will also be familiar to those using Trimble solutions.

Customer choice – integrated at the factory
“The Volvo Co-Pilot provides the perfect machine control interface,” said Jeroen Snoeck, Director of Connected Site and Machine Services at Volvo CE. “Many customers already have a 3D and surveying supplier preference. Since we don’t see ourselves in the surveying and 3D design businesses, we are happy to collaborate with leading technology partners such as Trimble. And that’s how we deliver our customers the best of both worlds: Their well-known Trimble solution integrated with the factory integrated Volvo Dig Assist and Co-Pilot platform.

“Working with Volvo on an integrated 3D grade control solution showcases the benefits both companies bring to our mutual customers,” said Jean Francois Sourdoire, Trimble Business Development Manager for EAME. “The tight integration of Trimble Earthworks with Volvo Dig Assist gives contractors a way to more easily adopt construction technology for faster ROI.”

Trimble and Volvo are conducting global customer validation testing in preparation for the international release later in 2019.