Artificial intelligence continues to dominate the equipment development conversation, particularly for more than 140,000 attendees at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show earlier this month in Las Vegas. But generalized AI tools such as copilots and ChatGPT seem to have faded into the background as purpose-built successors for everything from safety to training and even concrete batch plant management come to the fore.
“The holy grail always was using AI for better risk management,” Josh Kanner, Oracle 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 including running startups Vela Systems and Newmetrix. “Everybody knows, in their head, when a job is going sideways … with observation-based safety, you flip the script from an auditor to 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 endeavor, forecasting project safety incidents to try to prevent accidents, and supporting safer, cost-effective jobsites. 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 safety incidents by more than 30%, Kanner said.
John Deere and Wirtgen Group showed benchmarking automation in excavators.
Photo by Jeff Yoders/ENR
Better Batches
Another AI tool unveiled at the show, developed by materials process provider Command Alkon, enables the firm’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 lets users “batch concrete safely from anywhere with a Windows tablet,” CEO Martin Willoughby said. The continuously-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 weigh-ups during production, he added. The AI assistant can offer recommendations based on training data to optimize aggregates, cement and sand in a particular batch.
“AI is a new employee that [we] must learn to trust,” Willoughby said, stressing that Command Alkon’s approach is to help its customers learn, just as the Batch AI model continues to learn itself.
Bobcat unveiled a new line of compact loaders with voice-activated AI assistants.
Photo by Jeff Yoders/ENR
Original equipment manufacturer Doosan Bobcat is taking this learning approach to machine operation, separating its compact loaders and skid steers into two versions, Classic and Pro. With 41% of skilled operators set to reach retirement age by 2031, Bobcat has turned its compact equipment operator manuals into a voice-activated AI in the cab to help new operators build their skills faster. The Classic lineup will remain AI-free but the Pro line will offer AI advice and even hands-free commands such as turning on windshield wipers and exterior lights.
“This evolution of Bobcat loaders builds on that legacy by pairing the power and durability our customers expect with intelligence and simplicity designed for a changing workforce,” said Mike Ballweber, Doosan Bobcat North America president. He added that AI could expand beyond training, offering direct assistance to machine operators.
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