News and media - press releases: This is what underwater construction will look like in the future.

Komatsu Ltd. (hereafter “Komatsu”) (President and CEO: Hiroyuki Ogawa) and Asunaro Aoki Construction Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Yasushi Tsujii) will present "Underwater Construction of the Future" to the world. It features cutting-edge technologies, such as super remote control, unmanned construction, and underwater electric drive, at the "Future Life Expo: Future City," of the Future Society Showcase Project for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter "the Expo").

Komatsu developed the radio-controlled amphibious bulldozer in 1971 and has sold 36 units in Japan and overseas. Asunaro Aoki Construction owns all five of these units still in operation today and has accumulated knowledge and construction technologies through more than 1,200 underwater construction projects, including post-disaster reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

In recent years, there has been a growing need for construction work at the dangerous water's edge and shallow water areas in order to respond to disaster prevention and post-disaster recovery from natural disasters. These are becoming more severe and frequent due to climate change as well as the impending massive earthquakes. In addition, the construction industry is experiencing a serious shortage of skilled workers due to the declining birthrate and aging population.

To solve these social issues, the two companies are working together to demonstrate underwater electric construction robots that can be operated at depths of up to 50 meters without skilled techniques through automatic control and ICT functions. The two companies are also striving for the "underwater construction of the future," a solution that enables ultra-remote operation of underwater construction robots from a safe and comfortable office, based on a construction plan optimized by AI analysis, combining 3D survey, design, and construction data with big data, such as weather data and construction history.

Komatsu and Asunaro Aoki Construction will introduce this "underwater construction of the future" at the Expo. The two companies are confident that the underwater construction of the future, with its reduced workforce, greater efficiency, and improved safety, will revolutionize conventional construction work, enabling anyone to play an active role and realize faster construction work. Komatsu and Asunaro Aoki Construction are making resolute efforts to solve social issues through cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the realization of Society 5.0 and the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.

No : 0037(3260)
Corporate Communications Department
Sustainability Promotion Division
Komatsu Ltd.
tel: +81-(0)3-5561-2616
mail: JP00MB_cc_department@global.komatsu

*The information may be subject to change without notice.