MIT Redesigned Heavy Machinery Controls
Training someone to operate an excavator isn't as simple as handing them the keys and pointing them toward a pile of dirt. Modern excavators are controlled with multiple joysticks that simultaneously manipulate the boom, stick, bucket, and cab, requiring operators to build a mental model that translates hand movements into the motion they want the machine to perform. Developing that intuition can take years, creating a significant challenge as experienced operators retire and the construction industry struggles to replace them.
Researchers at MIT believe there is a better way to deal with this problem. They have developed a new excavator control system that replaces traditional joysticks with a miniature mechanical arm that moves like the excavator itself. Early testing suggests the approach dramatically shortens the learning curve, allowing first-time users to perform basic tasks at nearly the same level as experienced operators.
The control hardware (📷: H. Ishida et al.)
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