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Quiptech’s approach to payment terms showcases its commitment to flexibility and client convenience, aligning well with industry trends in offering various financing options. While I couldn’t find specific details about Quiptech’s payment terms, similar companies in the equipment rental and sales sector provide insights into common practices.

Typically, firms in this sector offer:

1. Monthly Rental Options: This model is highly popular for its affordability and flexibility, allowing end-users to rent equipment for a specific period without the commitment of a full purchase. This option is ideal for short-term needs or for those who prefer to avoid a large upfront investment.
2. Rent-to-Purchase Options: This pathway caters to customers who prefer long-term investments but want to avoid the immediate financial burden of purchasing. Customers can rent the equipment and eventually own it after fulfilling the rental term or earlier through a buyout option.
3. Finance Options: Companies often provide financing solutions with competitive rates and flexible terms. These could include up to 100% financing for the equipment, with tailored payment plans that can be aligned with the company’s cash flow. This option is particularly beneficial for businesses that need to manage their capital efficiently while still acquiring necessary equipment.

The benefits of such flexible payment terms include the ability to test equipment before fully committing, managing cash flow more effectively, and having the flexibility to upgrade or return the equipment based on evolving business needs. It also enables businesses, especially those starting new or with limited credit, to access essential equipment that might otherwise be out of reach due to financial constraints.

For more detailed information about specific payment options and terms that Quiptech offers, it would be best to contact them directly or visit their official website.

• Industry Overview: The machine control industry in Australia and New Zealand is an integral part of the broader automation and industrial control systems sector. This industry encompasses technologies and services related to the automation and control of machinery in various sectors such as construction, mining, and agriculture.

Both Australia and New Zealand have been experiencing a growing trend in these sectors. Given the significant mining activities in Australia and the active construction industry in both countries, there is a substantial demand for machine guidance and safety systems in these areas.

Stricter environmental and safety regulations are driving the need for more sophisticated control systems that can ensure compliance while maintaining operational efficiency.

The adoption of Industry 4.0 principles is expected to accelerate, leading to smarter construction and mining methodologies, where machine technical control systems play a crucial role.

Government initiatives in the resource and infrastructure sectors will boost the demand for innovative technologies in plant and equipment to improve all round efficiencies. It is believed that currently there is around a 16% uptake where working machines are installed with some sort of operator assistance technology, this has been rumoured to grow to plus 80% by 2030. Even today there are a number of projects where tech enhancements are a requirement to be a part of the project and these solutions will be considered as the norm.

This article discusses the transformative role of four major technological innovations in the construction industry, emphasizing their contributions to increased safety, efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.

One such innovation, machine control, is revolutionizing tasks like earthmoving and paving. Brad Viernow from Leica Geosystems highlights how this technology, utilizing satellite data or onsite instruments, enhances precision in machinery positioning. This leads to safer, faster, and less wasteful project execution.

Machine control aids equipment operators by providing accurate data, reducing the global average of 52% rework caused by poor data or miscommunication, as noted by Viernow. Updated data shared through cloud technology allows operators to access design information in real-time, further enhanced by machine automation capabilities.

Machine control’s applicability extends across various construction machinery. Adam Woods of LBX Company points out its usage in even seemingly simple machinery like compactors, improving efficiency across job sites.

Sean Mairet from John Deere underscores the benefits of combining compact machinery with technologies like grade control for superior outcomes.

Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Waste

Machine control systems play a pivotal role in improving accuracy. Both 2D and 3D grade control systems guide operators in achieving precise excavation parameters, significantly reducing material wastage. The accuracy of 3D systems, in particular, has led to substantial savings in public road construction projects, estimating a $3.6 billion saving in material costs in 2022.

Furthermore, machine control systems contribute to more efficient project scheduling, potentially speeding up construction timelines. Viernow adds that machine control minimizes non-value-adding activities and schedule overruns by ensuring accurate work from the start.

Improving Construction Site Safety

Machine control technologies also enhance job site safety. By reducing the need for manual grade checking, these technologies lower the risk of accidents. Safety features in machine control include camera systems for better visibility and geofencing for creating safe work zones, as explained by Viernow.

Addressing the Skilled Labor Shortage

Machine control technology is also seen as a solution to the skilled labor shortage in the construction industry. It makes equipment easier to operate and helps operators to become proficient more quickly. Mairet notes that this technology is reshaping how construction work is approached, making it safer and more efficient, thus appealing to a new generation of construction professionals.

Hemisphere GNSS has made significant advancements in machine control technology as of 2024. Their latest innovations focus on high-precision GNSS-based machine control and guidance applications, primarily for use in construction and other heavy-duty industries.

One of the key developments from Hemisphere GNSS is their new GradeMetrix platform. This high-value machine guidance solution is designed for dozer and excavator earthmoving applications, among others. The GradeMetrix solutions offer superior performance and are considered to be highly valuable for grading, mining, excavating, or compaction applications. With the next-generation GradeMetrix solutions, Hemisphere continues to expand its presence in the machine control market through its network of dealers and value-added resellers.

Additionally, Hemisphere GNSS has introduced a new Earthworks OEM toolkit. This toolkit allows manufacturers to select components either à la carte or as complete solutions based on their accuracy and durability requirements. The toolkit is fully customizable and flexible, enabling OEMs to tailor displays and outputs to their specifications. This customization allows OEMs to build their own branded systems, which can lead to faster market times, increased revenue streams, and a high cost/value ratio.

In terms of specific products, Hemisphere GNSS has debuted all-new positioning and heading OEM boards with next-gen ASIC technology. These include the Vega 40 and 28 GNSS receivers, which offer access to more than 1,100 channels, including Hemisphere’s Atlas GNSS global corrections network. These receivers are significant upgrades for existing designs and provide multi-frequency, multi-GNSS capabilities. They have been designed to optimize performance and include features like the Lyra II digital ASIC, Aquila wideband RF ASIC, and Cygnus interference mitigation technology.

Furthermore, Hemisphere GNSS has expanded the features of its GradeMetrix excavator solutions by adding support for knuckle boom and swing boom excavators. This addition is especially beneficial in the compact excavator market, offering enhanced ROI for customers.

These advancements reflect Hemisphere GNSS’s commitment to providing high-performance satellite positioning solutions that can endure demanding and hazardous environments, such as extreme temperatures. The company aims to offer top-of-the-line machine control components for heavy machinery like dozers, excavators, graders, among others, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and profitability in their operations.

For more detailed information on Hemisphere GNSS’s latest advancements, you can visit their official blog and the Inside GNSS website.

The latest advancements in machine control technology in 2024 are marked by significant strides in various areas, including AI and machine learning, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cybersecurity, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and spatial computing. Here are some key trends and developments:

1. AI and Machine Learning: AI is increasingly used in control systems for fast and precise decision-making, predictive maintenance, and adaptive control algorithms. This application of AI enables real-time data analysis to predict maintenance needs and optimize system performance, thus enhancing efficiency and reducing energy consumption​​​​.
2. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): IIoT has become integral in control systems, enabling the interconnectivity of devices and systems for data collection and sharing. This facilitates real-time monitoring, remote control, and predictive maintenance, leading to improved operational efficiency and reduced downtime and costs​​.
3. Cybersecurity: As industrial systems are increasingly connected, they become more vulnerable to cyber threats. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, such as advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, intrusion detection systems, and regular security updates, is crucial to protect sensitive data and ensure the consistent and safe performance of machinery​​​​.
4. Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs): There have been advancements in HMIs, leading to more intuitive and user-friendly control systems. Technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are enhancing the training, maintenance, and troubleshooting processes, thus improving operator productivity and reducing errors​​.
5. Spatial Computing: This involves building digital experiences that embody a physical sense of space, offering more dynamic, immersive ways to convey complex information. Spatial computing has implications for industrial digital twins, virtual training scenarios, and real-time remote assistance. As the working world adopts more spatial technologies, there is a need for robust security strategies designed with zero-trust principles​​.
6. Supply Chain Traceability and Efficiency: Real-time supply chain tracking is being enhanced with IoT and AI-powered software, leading to improved inventory accuracy, reduced fulfillment time, and optimized operations​​.
7. Digital Twin Technology: Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical machines, providing valuable insights into machine behavior for data-driven decision making and design improvements. They continuously update and evolve by integrating real-time data from sensors, offering a dynamic tool for troubleshooting, training, and innovation​​.
8. Industrial Cloud Computing: Centralized platforms for data collection, storage, and analysis in real-time are emerging, enabling insightful analytics and predictive maintenance. These platforms offer scalable computing resources and robust security for sensitive operational data​​.

In conclusion, the landscape of machine control technology in 2024 is being reshaped by these technological advancements, with a focus on efficiency, security, and enhanced human-machine collaboration.

An excavator is a representative construction machine used to perform earthwork. The work efficiency of an excavator significantly influences the overall work productivity of the earthwork. However, the work efficiencies of the excavators reduce with the increasing shortage of skilled excavator drivers. This study aims to develop a vision-based machine guidance system for excavators that can be used in earthwork sites to improve the work safety and efficiency of the operation. The prototype of the vision-based machine guidance system developed in this study had an around-view monitoring (AVM) image radius of 7 m. The information is updated every 50 ms, and the AVM images are refreshed at an average rate of 28.2 fps, thereby improving the efficiency of the actual excavation. The performance and stability of the developed prototype were verified through 80 h of continuous field operation. In this study, field testing was conducted on one excavator driver. Hence, further work is necessary to quantitatively verify the system using many excavator drivers. The system can improve the work efficiency after its commercialization, in comparison to that of conventional earthwork using excavators. It allows the drivers to perform earthwork with improved safety and a full view around the excavator.

Andy BrownHead of Content, Construction and Engagement

Komatsu has announced that it will offer Smart Construction’s 3D Machine Guidance Kit as a technological enhancement for a broad range of standard Komatsu machines as well as mixed fleets, a decade after launching its intelligent Machine Control (iMC). 

The 3D Machine Guidance Kit technology will be an available add-on for crawler and wheeled excavators of any brand from 13 to 120 tonnes. The kit is also said to offer a wide range of configurations for machines across all generations.

“The 3D Machine Guidance Kit is the result of extensive efforts by Komatsu to deliver a truly user-friendly system, giving the operator a level of digital assistance whatever the requirement,” said Richard Clement, Deputy General Manager Smart Construction.

By purchasing an excavator with the 3D Machine Guidance Kit, customers will be able to operate their machines with 2D and 3D machine guidance. The 3D Machine Guidance Kit can be customised with various optional additions such as a tilt bucket and couplers kit, two-piece boom kit, super long front kit, and SATEL radio kit.

Developed by Komatsu for Smart Construction, the 3D Machine Guidance Kit is said to be fully supported by the Komatsu distribution network. 

“Customers tell us that productivity, real-time jobsite information, and keeping pace with digital transformation are some of their biggest challenges today. Komatsu has developed the 3D Machine Guidance Kit in response to these needs,” said Jim Venerus, product marketing general manager. 

Venerus added that the 3D Machine Guidance Kit delivers “productivity gains via 2D and 3D machine guidance, real-time connectivity, and the ability to make data-driven decisions.”

Costain is providing pro bono support to two proposals to trial the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in National Highways projects in 2024.

National Highways, in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult, has announced a competition to encourage innovative solutions aimed at improving road users’ experience of roadworks on England’s motorways and A-roads.

Two winning proposals have received Costain’s mentorship and extensive experience in complex delivery and customer service. Costain will continue to support these proposals during their trials scheduled to begin in January.

Alchera Technologies collaborated with Costain to propose the use of AI technology for monitoring the impact of road closures and roadworks on traffic flow and driver behaviour.

The trial will employ graph convolutional neural networks to provide predicted traffic data, enabling road engineers and traffic controllers to quickly respond to changing conditions and make informed decisions while conducting essential roadworks.

Costain has also partnered with Wordnerds, a data company, and recently joined forces with Kier to tackle the challenges encountered across the National Highways supply chain. 

Both Alchera Technologies and Wordnerds have been mentored by Costain throughout the competition process, learning from customer and traffic management experts to see how the technology could be applied to real-world scenarios. Both companies received up to £60,000 from National Highways to take their ideas forward to trial in early 2024.

David Taylor, interim managing director for transportation at Costain, said, “The winning proposals are hugely compelling because they have the potential to solve complex, often intangible infrastructure problems with a clever blend of cutting-edge technology and deep industry knowledge.”