Develon Achieves Milestone With First Commercial Deployment of Autonomous Excavator

KIBAG becomes the first company to operate a Real-X autonomous crawler excavator, advancing AI-driven earthmoving and autonomous construction technologies.  na.develon-ce.com Develon, in collaboration with its development partner Gravis Robotics, has deployed the Real-X autonomous crawler excavator for industrial earthmoving operations with Swiss construction firm KIBAG. This implementation introduces industrial automation to heavy construction, targeting process stability and mitigating skilled labor shortages in civil engineering. Addressing the Skilled Labor Gap in Earthmoving The deployment relies on the integration of Develons heavy hardware platform, the DX225LC-7X crawler excavator, with the operational infrastructure of KIBAG. Managing a fleet of 2,000 construction machines, KIBAG replaces 200 units annually to maintain operational efficiency and technological standards. The cooperation addresses the industrial challenge of maintaining high-volume earthmoving capacity amidst a shortage of skilled operators, driving a transition from manual hydraulic control to automated site systems. Kinematic Control and AI-Driven Automation The Real-X system functions by replacing traditional operator inputs with learning-based AI control algorithms. Developed through an agreement between Gravis Robotics and Develons holding company, HD XiteSolution, the system architecture consists of a software package that interfaces directly with the hydraulic and electronic control units of the excavator. This setup enables the machine to autonomously calculate the boom and bucket kinematics required for continuous trench excavation and truck loading using local sensor data, removing the need for in-cab operators. Phased Implementation in Controlled Environments The autonomous equipment is currently active at a former KIBAG quarry in Tuggen, Switzerland. Because regulatory frameworks for autonomous construction machinery in public areas are not yet established, the unit operates on private land under the continuous supervision of a technical overseer. The physical integration and deployment were managed by the Swiss equipment dealer AG für Baumaschinen Schmerikon. Initial project planning commenced following a prototype demonstration, with coordination finalized at the bauma 2025 trade show (April 2025, Munich, Germany). Structural Stabilization and Precision Trenching The technology is applied primarily in civil engineering, quarry restoration, and large-scale site preparation. At the Tuggen deployment site, the concrete technical use case involves structural hillside stabilization. The Develon excavator is programmed to autonomously excavate a retaining trench measuring 300 meters in length, six meters in width, and three meters in depth. “We are replacing poor-quality material with significantly better material,” stated Gabriel Hasler, Site Manager at KIBAG, detailing the mechanical requirement to backfill the trench with rock to prevent soil erosion. Enhancing Excavation Efficiency and Process Stability The implementation of the Real-X system is engineered to achieve a 30 percent improvement in performance metrics for repetitive tasks such as trenching and earthworks. By standardizing machine cycle times through autonomous control, the system ensures consistent operational throughput regardless of labor availability. Furthermore, the simplified design of the control rack enables rapid technical onboarding for site supervisors, minimizing operational downtime during the transition to digital infrastructure networks. Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals editor, assisted by AI. www.develon-ce.com Powered by Induportals Media Publishing