Nikken to add autonomous excavator to its fleet

Nikken Rental in Japan plans to add an autonomous hydraulic excavator to its rental fleet through a partnership with Tokyo-based technology firm ARAV Inc.

From the start of September, Nikken will offer ARAV’s RX ‘Yoisho Nagekun’ excavator, which is based on a Caterpillar 320 machine.

The excavator has radar and IME (inertial measurement unit) sensors to detect the surrounding environment in real time and will undertake excavator and material handing duties autonomously.

Nikken said the retrofit solution by ARAV could make the use of autonomous machinery more affordable for contractors. In offering the technology for rental, Nikken said end users could trial the machinery before investing.

Excavators and small aerial platforms at one of Nikken's Tokyo depots.

The rental company added; “In the construction industry, which continues to face serious labour shortages and the challenges of skill transfer, automating construction machinery is an important solution that simultaneously increases productivity and safety on-site.

“However, automated construction machinery is expensive and the hurdles to implementation are high, making it difficult to say that it is a realistic option, especially for small and medium-sized companies.

“In response, Nikken offers the option of ‘trying it out first by renting’, providing an environment where unmanned technology can be more easily and flexibly introduced on-site.”

Nikken said it hoped to expand the use of the autonomous machine throughout its national network in Japan. In addition, it will use this trial to determine whether there are other types of equipment and applications that could benefit from autonomous operation.

ARAV Inc was founded in April 2020 by Shiraku Reyes Itsuki, who is president of the company. As well as working with Nikken, ARAV has agreed to develop autonomous versions of Hitachi’s ZX200A-7 and ZX330A-7 machines.

In June, ARAV said it was also working with another Japanese rental company, Nishio Rent-All.