Taylor Woodrow Takes the UK’s First Autonomous Excavator to Site!

Taylor Woodrow is proud to announce a significant milestone in the construction industry with the successful trial of the UK’s first autonomous excavator. This groundbreaking project, conducted in collaboration with Gravis Robotics, took place at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield.

The dedicated demonstration site at AMRC allowed the Taylor Woodrow innovation team and its partners to rigorously test the intelligent machine. The autonomous excavator excelled in a series of exercises, including autonomous excavation to various depths in differing ground conditions, real-time LiDAR capture of the excavation, emergency safe stop, and autonomous manoeuvring. These tasks were derived from a real, upcoming scheme to ensure robust evaluation, and the machine performed exceptionally well.

This trial represents more than just an excavator without an operator; it signifies a leap forward in the development of physical AI. Taylor Woodrow is committed to transforming how physical work is done by enhancing inclusivity, productivity, safety, and accuracy while reducing environmental impact and waste.

Phil Skegg, Managing Director of Taylor Woodrow, emphasised the importance of this innovation: “Over the last 10 years, our industry safety record has not improved, and our productivity has declined. As an industry, around 20% of the cost of what we build can be attributed to not getting it right the first time (GIRI). We believe that increasing the mechanisation and automation of tasks on site will help address these problems, removing people from danger, being more productive, and improving the quality of workmanship. Computer-controlled machines could be the way forward, and as an industry leader, we want to be early adopters and trial what is available. This is an exciting first step made possible by our partnership with Gravis Robotics, supported by Yanmar Construction Equipment and AMRC.”

The next phase of this innovative journey will see the autonomous excavator go live at Taylor Woodrow’s project at Manchester Airport. This advancement underscores Taylor Woodrow’s commitment to pioneering new technologies and setting industry standards for safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to lead the way in construction innovation.