Pioneering Future Machine Operation: A Collaboration Between Hive Autonomy and Volvo Maskin

Together with Volvo Maskin, Hive Autonomy is retrofitting heavy industrial machines to facilitate remote and autonomous control across a variety of machines and operations. By implementing our hardware kit and state-of-the-art software platform, the machines are capable of operating remotely and autonomously, also in harsh industrial environments.

The collaboration demonstrates the potential of innovative technologies to be retrofitted onto existing machine fleets, enhancing capabilities and bridging the gap between traditional industrial operations and the emerging wave of smart technologies and AI. With Volvo’s robust machines and Hive’s cutting-edge multi-machine and multi-location autonomy platform, this collaboration aims to pioneer the next generation of industrial and construction operations.

To enable remote and autonomous machine functionality, Hive Autonomy has installed sensors on the machines that provide the remote operator with a 360-degree field of view and generate data for the autonomy platform to accurately interpret and respond to the environment. The placement of the sensors is carefully adjusted in close collaboration with operators to ensure clear views, replicating the situational awareness one would have if physically present in the machine.

Below the operator cabin, a control cabinet equipped with the necessary computing power is carefully mounted, adding no additional volume to the machine’s original footprint. The compute unit connects directly to Volvo’s existing electrical interface, sending signals to the machine’s control system. As the cabinet is communicating on the exsisting electrical interface, all machine funtionality as well as safety systems remain intact. At any stage in opeartion, Hive’s system can be turned off retating the machine’s original manual operating functionality.

David Kristanslund, Sales Director at Volvo Maskin, states that “We are very happy to be a part of this project together with Hive Autonomy and Yara. It is inspiring to see how working with partners can drive innovation and make it possible to realize this advanced technical solution. Remote and autonomous operation will increase productivity and reduce the cost of operating our Wheel Loaders, and at the same time improve safety – in line with the most important core value of Volvo.”

The project Kristanslund is referencing is the newly announced collaboration with Yara Porsgrunn, where Hive Autonomy is retrofitting Volvo’s L120H wheel loader for remote and autonomous operation (Link).

“The ability to retrofit existing Volvo machines with our hardware and software solutions marks the beginning of a completely new era in machine capabilities,” states Christoffer Jørgenvåg, CEO of Hive Autonomy.

“It is a privilege to collaborate with a company like Volvo, which is dedicated to helping us deploy robust and high-quality solutions. These improvements will enable our customers to not only enhance operator satisfaction but also achieve substantially greater efficiency,“ he continues.

To remotely and autonomously operate the machines, a wireless communication link (WiFi, 4/5G, or satellite, depending on the application) is established with Hive’s remote-control station. The station provides options for both direct remote control of the machine and indirect control through autonomy commands, which are executed on the touchpad located on the right armrest. The control inputs at the station are standardized, enabling the operation of various types of industrial machines, like dumpers and excavators, using the same control layout.

To learn more about the project and the technology, please do not hesitate to get in touch.