The excavator is also equipped with intelligent driving to automatically dig trenches. Netizen: How many years can Lan Xiang continue to operate?

Abstract:

Recently, a video of “an excavator automatically digging trenches using software” became popular on short video platforms. The video shows that an excavator can automatically complete the excavation of drainage ditches by setting the two points of the water inlet and outlet and the excavation depth through the vehicle-mounted intelligent guidance software. There is no need for repeated manual repairs during the entire process, which has triggered heated discussions among netizens.

Judging from the video, the software used by the operator is called "Excavator Treasure", and the interface integrates modules such as project management, excavator management, and bucket management.

The software function matrix covers eight major construction scenarios including rapid modeling, leveling, trenching, brushing, setting out lines, site leveling, three-point slopes and curved slopes,

The operator also demonstrated the complete process of the trenching function. After fixing the position of the water inlet, the system automatically measured the distance between the two points as 15.05 meters after being stationary for 3 seconds. Then the excavation depth of the water inlet and water outlet was entered, and the software automatically calculated the amount of lift per meter based on the slope. A 1% slope means an increase or decrease of 1 cm per meter. The depth of the water outlet is set to about 70 centimeters, and the system automatically plans the excavation trajectory accordingly.

The one used in the video is not a traditional trapezoidal bucket, but a custom-made square bucket. According to the operator, the trench dug by a traditional bucket is in the shape of a trapezoid with a large top and a small bottom, which needs to be trimmed back and forth. However, this custom-made square bucket is directly formed with one shovel, and the walls on both sides are neat, without the need for secondary trimming. The final shovel can be finished.

It is understood that this type of excavator intelligent guidance system has been launched in China such as Cache Navigation's "Yi Di Bao", Hi-Tech 3D Guidance System, Sinan Navigation XE300 and other products.

The core principles are based on Beidou GNSS high-precision positioning and IMU inertial navigation, combined with angle sensors installed on the excavator's boom and stick, to calculate the three-dimensional coordinates of the bucket tip in real time, thereby achieving centimeter-level construction guidance.

International brands such as Volvo and Caterpillar have also launched similar Dig Assist and Grade Assist assistance systems.

After the video attracted attention, some netizens joked:

"How many more years can Lanxiang Technical School be open?", "Does this mean that the excavator also has a smart driving function?", "It's already 2026, when will the computer control the excavator for cooking?"

However, some practitioners in the construction machinery industry said that this type of system is still an auxiliary guidance rather than a completely autonomous operation. The operator still needs to control the movement of the excavator, but the system has greatly reduced the dependence on operating experience. In the past, digging a standard drainage ditch required a master to repeatedly trim it based on his feel. Now a novice can shape it in one go according to the guidance of the software.