31 Mar 25
(Munich, Germany, 31 March 2025) KOBELCO Construction Machinery Europe B.V. (KCME), wholly owned by KOBELCO Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Japan and dedicated to the sales and service of crawler excavators, demolition excavators and crawler cranes, has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Leica Geosystems and Xwatch Safety Solutions, both part of Hexagon, to drive the evolution of excavation with the innovative K-DIVE® remote operation system.
This partnership aims to transform jobsite operations in Europe by integrating digitalisation, automation, and enhanced safety into one platform. By combining KOBELCO’s vision for remote operations, Leica Geosystems’ machine control solutions and Xwatch’s safety technology, the partnership sets a new industry standard for digital transformation in construction. The integration of these technologies directly addresses critical industry challenges by mitigating labour shortages through remote operation capabilities, enhancing jobsite safety with advanced 3D avoidance systems and promoting sustainable construction practices by optimising machine efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
K-DIVE® — remote operation system for construction sites
The K-DIVE® system is an advanced remote operation technology developed by KOBELCO Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Japan. It enables excavators to be controlled from a distant location via a specialised cockpit. Equipped with high-definition displays, real-time jobsite visuals and responsive controls, the system ensures that operators experience the same level of precision and efficiency as if they were on site. By eliminating the need for operators to be physically present, this cutting-edge system enhances efficiency, improves workforce flexibility, and ensures operator safety in hazardous environments.
“This collaboration marks a major step towards the future of digital construction in Europe,” says Makoto Kato, Managing Director and Excavator Division Director at KOBELCO Construction Machinery Europe. “By leveraging remote operation, digital workflows, and advanced safety solutions, we are redefining what is possible on the jobsite — bringing efficiency, safety and connectivity to a new level. We are very excited to demonstrate this technology at bauma 2025 in a dedicated pavilion that allows us to perform live demonstrations across the world.”
Through this collaboration:
- Leica Geosystems brings its global expertise in digital positioning and automation to optimise K-DIVE®’s remote operation system. With its easy-to-use 3D machine control solution and semi-automatic features, it provides unparalleled precision, real-time automation and seamless integration for remote excavation.
"Integrating 3D machine control and semi-automatic technology into remote operation systems, heavy construction customers can unlock productivity and efficiency. This integration allows operators to execute complex tasks with precision, even when they're far away from the site.” says Neil Williams, President of the Machine Control Division at Leica Geosystems
- Xwatch Safety Solutions provides safety systems that integrate with Leica Geosystems’ machine control, enabling 3D avoidance zones above and below ground. The system automatically controls height, depth, and slew movements, preventing collisions and ensuring safer remote operations.
“Safety is at the core of everything we do,” says Dan Leaney, Sales Director for Xwatch Safety Solutions. “With our 3D avoidance zone technology integrated into the remote operation workflow, we are setting new standards in hazard prevention, ensuring operators can work remotely with confidence and enhanced protection.”
Join us at bauma 2025 to experience a live K-DIVE® demonstration at KOBELCO's booth (FN1016/1), showcasing the seamless integration of Leica Geosystems, Xwatch, and KOBELCO technologies for advanced teleoperation solutions in construction.
Kobelco booth: FN1016/1
Hexagon booth featuring Leica Geosystems and Xwatch Safety Solutions: Hall A2, booth 137