Yanmar’s ‘next generation’ electric machine prototype

Yanmar’s ‘next generation’ electric machine prototype

Construction equipment manufacturer Yanmar has unveiled a prototype of an electric machine with ‘advanced force control’ that can work on construction sites.

Yanmar says that it has successfully implemented force control capabilities, a challenge for conventional hydraulic systems. Using the Series Elastic Actuator – composed of an electric motor, reducer, and spring – the functionality was implemented in an electric mini excavator.

This technology aims to automate fine manual tasks, addressing labour shortages at construction sites.

Moving forward, the Yanmar said that it plans to conduct further verification to realise the practical applications of next-generation work machines in construction sites and similar environments.

The prototype is a test development of force control function using a large SEA

The prototype was unveiled at the Construction DX Challenge 2023, organised by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism.

The large Series Elastic Actuator was developed in collaboration with JAXA’s Space Exploration Innovation Hub Centre under the Moonshot Research and Development Program.