XCMG unveils remote-controlled excavator

XUZHOU, CHINA—The world’s fifth largest construction equipment company has recently unveiled its first fully remote-controlled excavator.

XCMG revealed the XE15R hydraulic intelligent excavator, signaling a new phase in XCMG’s intelligentization of its excavator series, explains a release from the company.

Without a cab, XE15R is the company’s smallest excavator at 1.35m in height and 1.08m in width. It is nicknamed "Little Swan" because the machine is agile and "flexible in challenging working conditions."

It features a wireless control function with a 100-metre range, and integrates mechanic, electronic and hydraulic control technology with a CAN bus interface design, the release reads.

The XE15R also features a self-learning function. It can save operating manoeuvres and then replay them automatically on request. The company states this is a breakthrough that further ensures security, agility and reliability in operation.

"Intelligentization is an inevitable choice as XCMG follows the path of new industrialization, and XE15R shows that we do what we say. Its design embodies our pursuit of efficiency and user friendliness," said Wang Min, president of XCMG in a statement.

The idea behind unmanned driving, explains the company, is that it reduces labour intensity and is particularly useful in severe operating environments, such as toxic conditions or extreme temperatures.

"Excavators are of strategic and decisive significance to XCMG’s development," said Li Zong, general manager of the excavator business unit of XCMG. "We have had a clear development strategy and plan positioning from the very beginning. Key to the manufacture of small, medium and large excavators is being precise, strong and superior."

XCMG’s excavator series ranges from one to 400 tons. Its XE4000, the first 400-ton crawler-type all-hydraulic excavator made in China, was awarded the domestic 2015 TOP 50 Technological Innovation Gold Award, the release continues. The "steel giant" is meant for heavy-load mine operating conditions and reduces power consumption by eight per cent.

"As XE15R rolls off the assembly line, XCMG’s intelligent products reach a new level," the release state. "For future development, XCMG will continue to look into smart manufacturing and intelligent products."