Komatsu Revolutionising Surveying with Smart Construction Edge 2

Since 2000, Komatsu Australia has been an inaugural Associate Member of the CMPA.

Smart Construction Edge 2 is propelling surveying into a new era, enhancing speed, safety, and precision through advanced technology.

Surveying has always been fundamental to construction projects, yet traditional methods are often time-consuming and pose safety challenges. Modern innovations, such as drone-based aerial surveying, are transforming this critical process. Komatsu’s Smart Construction Edge 2 takes these advancements further, offering rapid data availability, reducing downtime, and streamlining decision-making for project teams.

Transforming Construction Workflows
The impact of Edge 2 is immediately evident. It simplifies drone operations with intuitive setup and workflows, improving accuracy and efficiency. According to James Mackenzie, Komatsu’s Smart Construction Product Manager and drone technology expert, Edge 2 is a versatile tool that combines the capabilities of a GNSS base station and a processing device.

“It’s a GNSS device receiving corrections from satellites, while also functioning as a computer,” Mackenzie explains.
“It processes drone data on-site and serves as a GPS base station for rover equipment, producing highly accurate 3D terrain maps with ease.”

Enhancing Safety and Efficiency
Traditional surveying requires workers to navigate uneven terrain and active construction zones, which can present safety risks. Drone-based surveying offers a safer, faster alternative.

“A drone can survey an entire site much faster than a traditional surveyor on foot,” says Mackenzie. Edge 2 enhances this capability by processing data directly in the field without requiring internet access, enabling teams to obtain 3D drone data almost instantly.

The results are transformative: Edge 2 can process a 1-hectare site in under 10 minutes, a 20-hectare site in under an hour, and sites up to 50 hectares in less than two hours. These efficiencies drastically reduce project timelines and allow teams to address issues in real time.

Real-Time Data for Smarter Decisions
Edge 2 serves as a powerful base station, delivering real-time kinematic (RTK) corrections to drones and GPS rovers. It also records RINEX data for post-processing kinematics (PPK), making it a versatile asset for construction projects.

This functionality extends to Komatsu’s intelligent machine series, which includes excavators and dozers equipped with Smart Construction 3D-MG technology. These machines use Edge 2’s corrections for RTK accuracy, enabling seamless integration across project workflows.

By providing real-time data, Edge 2 empowers teams to calculate site volumes and monitor progress daily, avoiding delays and optimising resource allocation. “With daily progress monitoring, teams can make immediate adjustments to stay on schedule, such as deploying more equipment to meet project demands,” Mackenzie notes.

Streamlined Operations for All Users
Edge 2’s simplicity, often referred to as “the everyday drone,” ensures that anyone on a construction site—whether an engineer, supervisor, or project manager—can operate it with minimal training. This democratisation of surveying tasks frees up specialised personnel for other critical responsibilities.

By automating data capture and eliminating human error, Edge 2 ensures no critical details are missed. “Set the right parameters, and the drone will accurately survey the entire site,” Mackenzie says. “It captures every stockpile and terrain variation in 3D with precision.”

Elevating Construction Standards
Since its launch, Edge 2 has received widespread acclaim for its ability to save time and costs. Customers are particularly impressed by its speed and accuracy. Komatsu is committed to continuous improvement, incorporating user feedback into future updates and expanding functionality.

Edge 2 also integrates seamlessly with the Smart Construction Cloud Structure from Motion (SfM) solution, allowing users to process high-resolution data in the cloud when needed.

Smart Construction Edge 2 is redefining the role of aerial surveying in construction, setting new benchmarks for accuracy, efficiency, and project management. By harnessing cutting-edge technology, Edge 2 equips construction teams to make better decisions, boost productivity, and achieve superior project outcomes.

For further information:

visit https://www.komatsu.com.au/innovation/smartconstruction/edge-2

or contact us on 1300 445 978.

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