KOMATSU Europe has announced it is extending its Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance offering to bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks and other equipment with the introduction of 3D Machine Guidance Flex.
The solution provides operators with in-cab 3D guidance while automatically collecting high-density, georeferenced as-built data as the machine moves across the jobsite. The move brings capabilities already available for excavators to a broader range of equipment.
The solution uses the components developed for the original 3D Machine Guidance system, including the latest revised controller.
Bart Vingerhoets, senior commercial manager, said, “3D Machine Guidance Flex brings two capabilities together: real-time guidance for the operator and automatic as-built data collection. By measuring from the tracks or wheels, the system can be retrofitted without integrating with the machine’s work equipment, making it a practical way to extend digital guidance across mixed fleets.”
As the machine moves, operators can view their distance from the target design surface and use heat maps to see completed and remaining work.
Operators can create flat surfaces and slopes directly from the in-cab display. The system can receive GNSS correction data from either a local base station or a virtual reference station network and supports the major GNSS satellite constellations.
Ian De Dobbelaere, commercial project manager, added, “Every pass changes the jobsite, but when that change is not captured, it remains invisible in the project data. 3D Machine Guidance Flex closes this gap by turning more machines into data collectors. The result is a more complete and up-to-date record of completed work that can be shared with digital-twin platforms such as Smart Construction Dashboard.”
By extending automated data collection beyond excavators and Intelligent Machine Control equipment, customers can record a greater proportion of site activity. This can support progress tracking, volume calculations, documentation of completed work, and better-informed operational decisions.
