How machine control and precision agriculture are changing job sites

Photo: Trojak Communications

GNSS, coupled with inertial systems and software, is enabling greater accuracy in construction and agriculture. Other markets using machine control include unmanned vehicles, mining, surveying, mapping and defense.

At construction sites, GNSS receivers can be found in heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, graders and pavers. On farms and in orchards, GNSS increases productivity of machines ranging from tractors to UAVs.

A new MarketsandMarkets report predicts the machine control system market will grow to $6.6 billion by 2024, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.16%.

For precision agriculture, the outlook is even brighter. Grand View Research anticipates the market will reach $12.9 billion by 2027, a CAGR of 13% over the period.

Machine control speeds projects and increases efficiency under tight timelines. Using GNSS to guide the heavy lifting also alleviates safety concerns related to workers and construction machinery, and provides situational awareness to field operators.

In this month’s feature, we share case studies from companies that specialize in these markets, provide product details, and review the status of real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS in agriculture.

Check out some use cases for how GNSS, inertial systems and software are enabling greater accuracy in construction and agriculture.

• Autonomous track construction saves time, improves profitability
• Site contractor gains productivity edge with grade control platform
• GNSS to assist construction on tunnel from Germany and Denmark
• David Plus GNSS receiver applied in intelligent forklift
• Septentrio receiver tackles machine control in challenging environments
• Precision agriculture grows with RTK
• GNSS key to farm of the future