2025/3/3-3/7 An Automation Experiment Involving Excavation, Loading, Transport, and Dumping of Soil from an Earth Mound Using a Backhoe and a Crawler Dump Truck

Automation experiments involving excavation, loading, transport, and dumping of earth materials using a backhoe and crawler dump truck were conducted at the Public Works Research Institute’s experimental site. This experiment utilized one backhoe and one crawler dump truck compatible with the OPERA platform, the foundational system for automated construction. Both machines were operated in coordination via the CPS (Cyber-Physical System) platform “ROS2-TMS for Construction,” currently under development in this project. Multiple 3D LiDAR sensors were installed around the embankment to measure its shape, as well as the crawler dump truck’s position and loading status. Based on this sensor data, the system automatically adjusted the backhoe’s excavation and dumping positions, along with the timing of soil discharge.

Nikkei Industrial Newspaper (June 25, 2025, p.29)
“Autonomous Construction Machinery Collaborates with AI – Kyushu University and Others Develop Foundation for Earthwork Sites”
https://www.nikkan.co.jp/articles/view/00752726

Kensetsu Tsushin Newspaper (June 6, 2025)
“Automated Excavation and Loading of Soil – Verifying the Effectiveness of OPERA”
https://www.kensetsunews.com/archives/1086261

Nikkan Construction Industry Newspaper (June 6, 2025, p.3)
“Seamless Automation – Hydraulic Excavator Soil Excavation and Loading”
https://www.decn.co.jp/?p=174512

Nikkei Industrial Newspaper (June 6, 2025, p.17)
“Hydraulic Excavator Automation”
https://www.nikkan.co.jp/articles/view/00751041