ConExpo-Con/AGG 2023 attendees were among the first to experience BOMAG's visionary look at single drum roller autonomous operation.

The ROBOMAG BW 177 single drum roller features all the subsystem technologies required to test and develop a fully autonomous roller. Machine and technology design allows it to flexibly operate through both manual and autonomous control, and its compact design affords efficient work at confined job sites, the manufacturer said.

The ROBOMAG BW 177 features an automation interface, which equips the roller for close-range remote control. This affords the operator complete roller remote operation in view but from a safe distance to achieve desired compaction results. Its object detection system offers an additional level of protection with remote operation.

Both the radio remote control and object detection are currently available for select BOMAG conventional single drum rollers and will be expanded to additional models in the future.

The road to fully autonomous operation of a single drum roller is achieved in stages by various technologies. The first stage is the automation interface plus special ROBOMAG software that enables a remote connection to the roller. The next stage allows for the operator to control the roller off-site without visual contact. This type of operation, office controlled machine, also is currently feasible, and the ROBOMAG single drum roller can be equipped with this type of operation.

The final stage to fully autonomous operation is a single drum roller guided by advanced computer software with no human intervention. With all the safety systems installed on the ROBOMAG BW 177, BOMAG is preparing the machine to be operated by different types of controls, including fully autonomous operation.

This last development stage requires significantly more advanced technologies, such as automatic shutdowns, special camera systems and reliably secured systems that remove all potential safety risks.

For more information, visit www.bomag.com.