Showcasing “Automation Across Any Equipment” with Three Software-Defined Machinery Applications
Busan, Korea — Xpanner, a construction automation company, announced that it held a joint demonstration event with Obayashi Corporation, one of Japan’s leading general contractors, on July 11 at Xpanner’s demonstration site in Busan.
The event highlighted both next-generation automation technologies under development and solutions already in commercial use. About 20 attendees, including representatives from Obayashi and researchers from the Intelligent Systems Lab at the University of Ulsan, participated in the demonstration.
Demonstrating Software-Defined Machinery (SDM)
- Volvo 30-ton excavator: Already equipped with Volvo’s Active Control system, the machine was operated via Xpanner’s remote station. Demonstrations included automated grading, tilt, and rotation angle control with a tiltrotator, plus a safety function that restricted bucket movement within virtual boundaries. All features operated stably in remote mode.
- Develon 14-ton excavator with JK Attachment’s tiltrotator: Mango controlled the tilt and rotation functions, assisted by IMU sensors and electronic control valves. With a single “Auto” button, the system maintained level positioning regardless of boom and arm movement. This ensured horizontal alignment even during complex operations, improving efficiency and safety while reducing reliance on operator skill—particularly valuable when using pallet forks and other attachments.
- Vermeer pile driver retrofitted with Xpanner X1: Already deployed at U.S. solar power sites, the X1 kit integrates Mango with Xpanner’s own MG/MC system, GNSS, IMU sensors, and a tablet-based interface. The solution enables autonomous navigation and precise compliance with design guidelines for pile verticality, horizontality, and height.
Proven in U.S. Solar Projects
The X1 is already in use at solar construction sites across Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana. It allows tasks once requiring two or more workers per machine to be completed by one operator and one automated machine—improving both productivity and project speed.
Looking Ahead
Xpanner CEO Henri Lee commented:
“This demonstration proved that our software can deliver automation control regardless of a machine’s age or condition. Moving forward, we will continue to expand our automation portfolio, including new X1 packages for excavators, compact track loaders, and other equipment.”
Obayashi is one of Japan’s “Big Five” contractors, actively investing in smart construction and digital transformation. Xpanner, with growing deployments in solar power and earthworks projects worldwide, is steadily expanding its global footprint.
Both companies see this demonstration as the foundation for deeper collaboration in construction automation technologies, including joint R&D and expanded pilot projects in the future.
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