Bart Vingerhoets on the Digital Revolution in Earthmoving
Internet-connected hardware and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping construction, particularly in earthmoving. Excavators, once purely mechanical workhorses, are now at the heart of a digital transformation that’s making sites safer, leaner, and more efficient.
To explore this shift, we spoke with Bart Vingerhoets, Senior Commercial Manager at Komatsu Smart Construction, about how digitisation is changing the game and where excavators fit into the future of smart job sites.
Growing Demand for Digitisation
Asked whether users are actively requesting more technology in their excavators, Bart was clear: “There has been a significant push towards digitisation by excavator operators, construction companies and governments. Technology is not only improving the efficiency of excavators but also aiding in increasing safety.”
The industry, he explained, has come a long way in recognising the tangible benefits of digital tools. Early adoption was uneven, with regions in Western and Northern Europe leading, while cost barriers held others back. That picture is changing: “Smart Construction has seen this first-hand, as 38 percent of its 3D Machine Guidance system sales took place in East and South Europe.”
Customer demands vary by geography and scale. In more established markets, safety and productivity gains drive the uptake, while elsewhere, cost-efficient hardware is levelling the playing field. At its core, technology-enabled machinery equips teams with the ability to make sharper decisions, cut downtime, and reduce costly errors.
Why Contractors Want Digital Excavators
When asked what users expect from new technology, Bart highlighted the broader business drivers: “Construction companies are seeking technological advancements to enhance profitability, save time, and reduce costs. Every year, businesses become more eager to improve risk management, leading to enhanced safety on construction sites, which can be facilitated by digital solutions.”
Operators and managers alike see direct benefits. Semi-automatic control systems, like those found in Komatsu’s Intelligent Machine Control excavators, prevent over-digging and minimise rework—issues that can otherwise cost both time and money. Equally, Smart Construction’s Dashboard creates a live digital twin of the site, complete with real-time material data and potential problem alerts. This lets managers focus on overseeing multiple jobs, while stakeholders can inspect sites remotely, cutting down on travel and making communication with suppliers more seamless.
Looking Five Years Ahead
With technology evolving rapidly, the question is whether users’ demands will hold steady or shift. Bart was confident the latter: “The technology needs of excavator users and the construction workforce is expected to naturally evolve over the next five years due to several emerging trends and advancements in construction and heavy machinery technology.”
One major factor is the rise of digital twins. Excavators will increasingly become precision tools, capturing survey-grade data with every bucket load. “Having every bucket or blade move represented in a highly accurate model, such as Komatsu Smart Construction Intelligent Machine Control, means all members of the workforce can access remotely, adding significant productivity gains.”
The broader market outlook supports this trajectory. The global AI in construction market, valued at £1.3 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to £9.1 billion by 2030. That growth will come as hardware and software become cheaper, easier to integrate, and more interoperable. Komatsu’s recent move to include its Remote solution as standard across guidance and control systems reflects this push toward democratising smart tech.
Data Analytics and Decision-Making
Modern job sites are becoming data-driven environments. Advanced analytics can pinpoint risks, improve planning, and support faster decision-making. Bart explained how Komatsu’s Remote solution strengthens this ecosystem: “Remote allows users to send new design data to machines in the field, or remotely support operators, without travelling to the jobsite, making data transfer take significantly less time than before whilst also reducing fuel usage.”
This kind of digital link between office and site doesn’t just save time, it contributes to sustainability goals by cutting unnecessary travel and reducing emissions.
Repeat Customers and Expanding Needs
One indicator of successful technology is repeat demand. Komatsu has seen just that: “Smart Construction reported a 44 percent adoption increase in its software as a service (SaaS) technology from FY2023 to FY2024, highlighting a rising demand for software in construction. Users have found that our solutions greatly improve their site’s performance and profitability, with many stating they couldn’t work without them anymore.”
Bart emphasised the close working relationship with clients. Spending time on sites allows the team to capture customer feedback and feed it directly into development. That’s how solutions like Edge, recently updated, came to market. Customers who have seen previous successes are often the first to ask to test new tools, creating a collaborative cycle of innovation.
Backed by Strong Partnerships
Komatsu’s Smart Construction is part of EARTHBRAIN Limited, a joint venture with Sony Semiconductors, NTT Communication, and Nomura Research Institute. Together, these organisations bring deep expertise in hardware, connectivity, and digital ecosystems. This collaboration aims to optimise the use of machines, materials, and manpower while cutting CO² emissions and boosting safety.
Smart Construction services are widely available across Europe, from Germany and France to the UK, Denmark, and Austria, with 3D Machine Guidance accessible in most regions. This growing footprint reflects both demand and Komatsu’s commitment to making digital tools accessible across diverse markets.
A Positive Future for Digital Earthmoving
Looking at the trajectory of smart machinery, it’s clear the momentum isn’t slowing. Operators, managers, and policymakers are recognising that digitisation is not just about productivity—it’s also about sustainability, safety, and smarter resource use.
Bart summed up the direction of travel: “As the industry continues to evolve and new technology develops and rolls out, we can expect our users to want additional technology solutions that work alongside our existing solutions.”
From semi-automated excavators that prevent costly errors to remote support tools cutting emissions, the industry is seeing technology’s potential play out in real time. With Komatsu Smart Construction leading innovations in AI, data, and connected machinery, earthmoving looks set to enter a new era—one that blends engineering precision with digital intelligence.
