Smart Construction is the digital arm of Japanese equipment manufacturer Komatsu and specialises in developing solutions to improve productivity and efficiency across various sectors.
Working to power up the digital transition across Europe through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, Smart Construction offers a suite of products underpinned by automation, as-built data, drones and cloud-based platforms.
All these products work together or independently to improve site safety, increase material efficiency, enhance project management and reduce cost and CO2 associated with construction.
Interview with Bart Vingerhoets, Senior Commercial Manager at Komatsu Smart Construction
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Bart Vingerhoets: Komatsu Smart Construction operates across a range of areas within the construction sector, all aimed at enhancing productivity, safety and project management.
Smart Construction tools have been adopted across earthmovement sites, landfill sites, quarries, infrastructure projects and more. At the core of its activity is a robust network of distributors working across Europe to provide bespoke solutions and access to digital products that will advance sites across the continent.
What’s the news about new products/services?
B.V: Komatsu Smart Construction has recently reported a 44 percent year-on-year increase in adoption of its software-as-a-service (SaaS) technologies between FY2023 and FY2024, reflecting growing demand for digital construction solutions across the industry.
The business has also recently announced its 3D Machine Guidance system, a real-time 2D and 3D guidance system working to enhance earthmoving precision, is now fully compatible with industry-leading tilt rotators brands – Engcon, Steelwrist, Rototilt, and OilQuick.
This milestone ensures that operators can achieve greater efficiency, precision, and versatility on the job site, regardless of their preferred tilt rotator brand. This follows an updated license for Remote by Smart Construction, which is now included as standard with all Komatsu guidance and control systems.
The cloud-based solution allows remote access and control of both Komatsu and non-Komatsu machine systems, further advancing machine automation.
What are the ranges of products/services?
B.V: Komatsu Smart Construction offers a comprehensive suite of solutions:
- Smart Construction Dashboard: From mapping to managing: an automatic and precise digital twin viewer that enables all members of your team to monitor earth movement progress with survey-grade accuracy.
- Smart Construction Remote: Send data to machines in the field and support operators remotely.
- Smart Construction Edge: A rugged IoT device with Ai onboard that collects, processes, and uploads 3D data from drone surveys.
- Smart Construction Fleet: Real-time equipment movement and automatic productivity reports for mixed fleet operations.
- 3D Machine Guidance: A cost-effective IoT machine guidance system for excavators.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
B.V: The market for digital construction solutions in Europe is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing complexity in construction projects, low profit margin and a lack of skilled workers. These pressures are accelerating the industry’s push towards digital transformation.
While adoption still faces resistance, momentum is building and technologies like those offered by Komatsu Smart Construction are expected to become standard before the decade ends.
The European Smart Construction team is set to launch a new ‘fitted at the factory’ process, set to revolutionise the manufacturing of Komatsu’s PC240 and PC228 crawler excavator models. Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance, which was previously retrofitted locally or in the field, will now be fitted during the machine assembly at the factory – offering a fully bespoke, digital-first machine.
Driven by its key brand values spanning efficiency and digitalisation, specialists will complete the installation of the additional hardware on the assembly line, removing pressure from distributors.
What can you tell us about market trends?
B.V: Machine control systems are becoming more affordable due to increased competition, making them accessible to a wider range of companies. GPS guidance is now widely used, helping reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency.
While drones were once seen as a breakthrough for site monitoring, the trend is moving toward real-time data capture directly from machines. The focus is now on integrated, automated solutions like Komatsu’s Smart Construction Dashboard that deliver faster insights and better job site control.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
B.V: Although the full suite of products is innovative, Komatsu Smart Construction recently relaunched the latest version of its Edge product. A solution that incorporates artificial intelligence to transform drone-based surveying.
Developed in partnership with Sony through the EarthBrain joint venture, this solution streamlines the entire terrain mapping process by automating key steps that previously required manual input.
The AI-driven technology can also remove obstacles – such as machinery and buildings – from drone survey data, significantly reducing the need for manual editing and improving the speed and accuracy of data processing.
What estimations do you have for the second half of 2025?
B.V: For the second half of 2025, Komatsu Smart Construction anticipates continued strong momentum in both product adoption and market influence. Building on its year-on-year growth in SaaS adoption. The company expects digital technologies to become increasingly embedded in everyday construction operations.
Looking ahead, solutions such as Smart Construction Remote and Edge are expected to have an increased usage across mixed construction sectors, with more customers integrating real-time data capture, remote machine access and cloud-based site management into their job sites.