Are you an equipment operator worried robots are going to one day put you out of a job? Or are you a contractor fretting over the labor shortage and wondering when automation will come to the rescue?

In this episode of The Dirt, we focus on Built Robotics, which has developed an aftermarket device that automates excavators to perform trenching duties. The company’s Exosystem can convert any excavator to a remote-controlled, autonomous trench digger. And it can be installed in just one day.

Even with robotics, however, humans are still needed. “Robots are just a tool,” says Built Robotics director of communications Erol Ahmed. “It’s up to people to figure out how to use them.”

Using the Exosystem requires operators to undergo training on its remote-control operation. Ahmed says contractors have seen a 20% to 30% savings by using it.

But we’re also still a long way off from artificial intelligence, or AI, taking over the jobsite. For now, Built Robotics is focusing strictly on excavators and trenching. In time it plans to spread to other machines and to routine, repetitive tasks that could be easily automated.

So for a more in-depth look at Built Robotics’ excavator automation technology and where the company sees the future of construction equipment AI, check out this week’s episode of The Dirt with host Byran Furnace, who is a part-time equipment operator.

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