Volvo Co-Pilot Nominated for Human-Machine Interface Award

Volvo's Co-Pilot system provides intelligent machine control such as Load Assist, Dig Assist, Compact Assist and Pave Assist to help automate tasks and improve efficiency for operators.

Volvo's Co-Pilot system includes Dig Assist to help automate digging tasks for operators.
Volvo's Co-Pilot system includes Dig Assist to help automate digging tasks for operators.
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The recently launched Volvo Co-Pilot system has been nominated in the prestigious Car HMI Awards 2016 (which, despite the name, aren’t just for cars). Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has been shortlisted for ‘the most innovative HMI feature’ in the awards which are presented by we.CONECT. The in-house developed Volvo Co-Pilot is designed for use on machines as diverse as excavators to pavers. It uses a tablet computer to deliver a new generation of intelligent machine services, such as Load Assist, Dig Assist, Compact Assist and Pave Assist. Volvo Co-Pilot and the assist-functionalities help operators to produce higher quality outcomes, in less time and with less effort.

“We are pleased that Volvo CE has been recognized for its innovative capabilities,” says Sidney Levy, Design Director at Volvo CE. “Volvo Co-Pilot is the first step towards an integrated, holistic solution for worksite optimization. Not only does it set a new industry standard but it also puts operators at the heart of the system. From start to finish, the UX-design focused content is specifically tailored to the needs of the user. The system offers the equivalent of Tesla in the car industry – state-of-the-art-technology that combines a touchscreen interface and perfected UX-design content that can be updated using mobile telecommunications technology.” 

A new generation of intelligent machine offerings

Volvo Co-Pilot was unveiled in April at bauma 2016 – the largest construction equipment exhibition in the world.

Available as either 2D or In-Field Design, Dig Assist allows excavator operators to complete digging tasks to a greater accuracy in less time. Safety is also improved, as there is no need to repeatedly get out of the cab and physically check grades or levels.

Load Assist is designed for Volvo wheel loaders L110-L250 and delivers real time accurate load information to the operator. Preventing under-or-overloading (and additional machine wear and even potential fines), the system allows wheel loaders to work to their maximum efficiencies. Fully automatic, the system logs all load information and the data is then displayed on the operator’s in-cab Volvo Co-Pilot display. The information can also be accessed remotely, thanks to Volvo’s advanced CareTrack telematics system. This allows complete payload management – giving access to data such as total transported load in tonnes; tonnes transported per liter of fuel and number of cycles.

Compact Assist offers two module options at launch – Intelligent Compaction and Intelligent Compaction with Density Direct. Intelligent Compaction records and displays a pass counter and thermal mapping, while Density Direct cleverly calculates 100% of the surface density.

Pave Assist is a family of paver-related modules and applications that will automate many of the paving parameters that today have to be recorded manually in order to meet stringent road authority reporting requirements. Providing a powerful set of tools to improve productivity, quality and site safety, Pave Assist combines Thermal Mapping, Weather View, Material Manager and (as a complementary option) Volvo Smartview modules.

Outstanding achievement

The prestigious Car HMI Award recognizes exceptional projects in three categories: most innovative HMI feature, best collaboration partner for developing HMI technology and most user-friendly HMI feature. The winner of the coveted trophy will be announced on June 20 in Berlin, Germany.

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