Bobcat’s digital vision

27 November 2020

Bobcat is developing a number of digital technologies to enable users to operate some of its machines via a smartphone for safer and more efficient working.

Promoted during the manufacturer’s recent ‘Next is Now’ product launch, MaxControl remote operation is designed to make two-person jobs become single-operator tasks, automating activities like opening and closing gates or loading materials. Bobcat says the system is compatible with compact loaders fitted with Selectable Joystick Controls, in some cases dating as far back as 2004.

An add-on facility for MaxControl is Object Avoidance, whereby a machine can automatically detect and avoid hitting ground features that have previously been fed into the system using images taken with augmented reality.

The system can also be adapted with a semi-autonomous mode. Parameters relating to a work area are entered into the system so that repetitive tasks such as continuous loading, shifting and unloading can be performed with few or, even, no personnel.

Interestingly, Bobcat says that it might make some features available ‘on demand’. These would already be fitted to a machine and activated by a dealer when required by the customer, or on a subscription platform.

Such services could include switching on high-flow hydraulics, rear view camera activation, extra warning systems and turning the windscreen into an interactive touch display.