Automated self-checking functionality for access industry
An automated self-check from Australia on a Skyjack new SJ3215 DC scissor was a crowd pleaser at The ARA Show in February and showed how Skyjack has been working towards a goal of autonomous functionality for the construction rental industry.
“The focus of our demonstration was on fluid two way communication and what can be done from extreme distance,” Brad Boehler, President at Skyjack said.
“Our innovation team has come so far over these past few years and I was inspired to challenge them even further. We are always looking at how we can improve productivity for our customers and a machine that can autonomously perform a series of discrete tasks could do just that.”
The SJ3215 DC scissor lift was engineered to respond to commands sent over the cellular network and independently perform a function check of its critical systems. After measuring physical feedback from drive, steer, and lifting systems, the machine then conducted a battery and solenoid test before audibly announcing the test was complete. The confirmations were presented in a mobile application for the demonstration.
“It was important the demonstration was authentic and represented the progress we’ve made. We wanted to demonstrate how responsive and practical the technology actually is,” David Swan, Product Manager of Technology and Innovation at Skyjack said.
“The first time we tested autonomous self-check from over 7,500 miles away it was amazing to witness the quick response time. We designed it to provide real-time interaction with the machine, but seeing it happen; it really hits you how this technology is going to change our industry. That’s an understanding we wanted to share with the audience.”
It’s all part of Skyjack’s goal to increase productivity for our customers and help contribute to a safer job site for all, Brad said. He said this is the first step for Skyjack and it will move forward towards self-loading, autonomous drive, and more.
“But we’re doing this the Skyjack way. Every conversation we have focuses on how it will benefit our customers and their goals. We’re not doing this for the sake of being cool’, we’re doing this to see how smart machines can improve efficiency and profitability for our customers,” Brad said.
“We’re doing this in a simple reliable way, one that generates the best ROI for our customers and keeps an easy to do business with mentality.”
With all of this new technology, more and more questions are surfacing about where the data is going and who owns it.
“At Skyjack it isn’t a question. Our customers are storing their entire business in the cloud and in 2019, 50% of our machines are projected to ship with Elevate,” David said. “Telematics isn’t a throw in; it’s becoming a core piece of our customers’ business systems. They’re paying for this product and get to have it on their terms; that means their data.”
Skyjack equipment on show
The company also showcased its newer, higher, redesigned Rough terrain (RT) range to the show as well as a newly redesigned, ANSI compliant SJ3219 DC scissor lift.
“We’ve been looking at our rough terrain line-up for some time and trying to determine how we can design them to be even more beneficial for our customers,” Barry Greenaway, Product Manager at Skyjack said.
“We found an opportunity with the ANSI redesign to enhance certain features we think will better serve rental companies and their customers.”
The new RT line-up features higher platform heights, increased capacity ratings, and an updated Skycoded control system.
Visit: www.skyjack.com
