New partnership aims to cut UK utility strikes with real-time radar technology

The collaboration will make RodRadar’s Live Dig Radar (LDR) available nationwide through Lynch’s fleet. The on-bucket, AI-powered system uses ground-penetrating radar to automatically detect utilities in real time while excavating, giving operators an instant alert and reducing reliance on incomplete or outdated records.

Utility strikes are estimated to cost the UK economy around £2.4 billion annually, with the true impact extending beyond direct repair costs to delays, safety risks and wider disruption. RodRadar claims its system has already delivered savings on overseas projects, including avoiding 200 mismarked utilities on a US naval base contract.

A Lynch-supplied excavator featuring RodRadar’s radar technology embedded in bucket (Image courtesy of RodRadar)

Lynch will act as the sole plant hire supplier of LDR in Great Britain, supported by distributor Machine Tech. The move comes as the UK prepares for the full rollout of the government’s National Underground Asset Register, with pressure mounting for more proactive approaches to excavation safety.

Yuval Barnea, VP sales and marketing at RodRadar, said, “RodRadar is driven to give operators instant, actionable visibility beneath the surface during excavation. By partnering with a national rental powerhouse like Lynch in a predominantly rental-driven market, any customer from Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland will have access to our Live Dig Radar systems and ‘stop digging blind’, making ‘strike‑free sites’ an everyday reality.”

Chris Gill, director at Lynch, added, “We are confident that contractors will recognize the LDR as an essential tool with immediate ROI,” We are excited about the vast opportunity and are committed to ensuring that our products are fully accessible and successful for our customers nationwide, as the sole supplier to the rental market.”