Artificial intelligence continues to dominate the equipment development conversation, especially for the more than 140,000 attendees at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show earlier this month in Las Vegas. But pervasive AI tools like copilots and ChatGPT seem to have faded into the background as successors designed for everything from security to training and even managing specific batch plants come to the fore.
“The holy grail has always been using AI for better risk management,” Josh Kanner, Oracle’s senior vice president of AI and analytics, told the audience at the March 3-7 event. His background in computer vision and AI for construction includes start-ups Vela Systems and Newmetrix. “Everybody knows, in their head, when a job goes sideways … with observation-based security, you turn an auditor’s script into a measurable field engagement,” Kanner said.
The executive introduced Oracle Construction and Engineering Advisor for Safety, an AI-enabled predictive intelligence tool that turns safety management into a proactive effort, forecasting project safety incidents to try to prevent accidents and supporting safer, more profitable workplaces. Boston contractor Suffolk Construction and Appleton, Wis.-based Boldt Construction have used the tool for safety benchmarking and a weekly safety risk forecast. Both reduce security incidents by more than 30 percent, Kanner said.
John Deere and Wirtgen Group showcased benchmarking automation on excavators.
Photo by Jeff Yoders/ENR
Best batches
Another AI tool unveiled at the show, developed by materials process provider Command Alkon, allows the company’s concrete batch plant customers to integrate the Command Cloud Batch plant management service with the new Batch AI product. This allows users to get the most out of concrete batches and even automate production.
The cloud-based system allows users to “securely add concrete from anywhere using a Windows tablet,” said managing director Martin Willoughby. Continuous learning Batch AI, with a large language model based on Command Alkon’s best practices, can help users adjust batches in real time, based on data such as weighing during production, he added. The AI assistant can provide recommendations based on training data to optimize aggregates, cement and sand in a particular batch.
“AI is a new employee who [we] it has to learn to trust,” Willoughby said, emphasizing that Command Alkon’s focus is on helping its customers learn, just as Batch’s AI model continues to learn on its own.
Bobcat introduced a new line of compact loaders with voice-activated AI assistants.
Photo by Jeff Yoders/ENR
Original equipment manufacturer Doosan Bobcat takes this learning approach to machine operation, separating its skid steers and skid steers into two versions, Classic and Pro. With 41% of qualified operators set to reach retirement age by 2031, Bobcat has turned its compact equipment operator manuals into in-cab voice-activated AI to help new operators develop their skills faster. The Classic line will remain AI-free, but the Pro line will offer AI advice and even hands-free commands like turning on the wipers and exterior lights.
“This evolution of Bobcat loaders builds on that legacy by combining the power and durability our customers expect with the intelligence and simplicity designed for a changing workforce,” said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America. He added that AI could expand beyond training, offering direct assistance to machine operators.
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