Social Issues addressed by Sumitomo —Compass for the Future—

Sumitomo Construction Machinery × Decarbonization & New workstyles

Reducing CO2 emissions and achieving a safe working environment through development of excavators, the company’s mainstay products

 Decarbonization
Among greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions implicated in global warming, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are a major culprit. Hence the importance of initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions in the drive to achieve net zero GHG emissions, i.e., carbon neutrality. In order to limit the global average temperature increase and achieve net zero GHG emissions in the second half of the 21st century, which are among the goals of the Paris Agreement, the Japanese government set a target of a 26% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 compared with 2013. In October 2020, the then-prime minister declared that Japan intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. At the Leaders Summit on Climate, hosted by the U.S. in April 2021, Japan declared its target of a 46% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 compared with 2013. Sumitomo Construction Machinery is working to eliminate CO2 emissions by making the exhaust emitted by construction machinery clean. As a manufacturer of environmentally friendly construction machinery whose watchwords are economy and fuel efficiency, the company won the Energy Conservation Grand Prize from the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ).
 New workstyles
Workstyle reform is an idea that has been around for a while, but it is now coming into its own as companies introduce systems that make it possible for diverse people to work in styles attuned to their needs while enhancing productivity through creative utilization of ICT. For Japan, the challenge posed by population aging coupled with a low birthrate is particularly acute. Achieving flexible workstyles is a precondition for securing ample human resources as the working-age population continues to shrink. In addition, teleworking has become widespread, taking root amid the COVID-19 pandemic as a workstyle synonymous with the new normal. As one aspect of its initiatives to promote new workstyles, Sumitomo Construction Machinery is focusing on ensuring the safety and security of workers at construction sites by eliminating industrial accidents. To reduce accidents at sites where construction machinery and humans work together, the company has introduced its latest collision mitigation system that automatically stops the machinery in operation whenever there is a possibility of collision.

Sumitomo Construction Machinery, whose core business is the manufacture and sale of hydraulic excavators, asphalt pavers, and other types of construction machinery, supplies state-of-the-art construction machinery in Japan and throughout the world. As construction machinery has changed over time, so has the value that Sumitomo Construction Machinery offers. The company’s initiatives to resolve social issues have two facets: one is “decarbonization” to reduce the CO2 emissions of construction machinery, and the other is “new workstyles” by offering construction machinery that helps keep people working at construction sites safe and secure.

As a global supplier, the company is mindful that it bears an ethical responsibility for the CO2 emissions of its products throughout the world. Whereas, in the past, the quest for greater power tended to be accorded priority over measures to curb pollution, with the passage of time, the environmental impact of diesel engine-equipped construction machinery has been reduced to meet stricter regulations. Furthermore, with a view to achieving carbon neutrality, Sumitomo Construction Machinery was quick to develop a hybrid hydraulic excavator equipped with a motor in addition to an engine, thus contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions during product use. The company’s efforts in this regard have been acclaimed both in Japan and overseas. For example, the prestigious Conservation Grand Prize was bestowed on the company by the Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ) in fiscal 2007.

Other initiatives are designed to ensure safety and security of workers at construction sites. Industrial accidents occur at sites where machines and humans work together, and although the number of accidents has decreased over the years, it has not reached zero. To minimize the risk of such industrial accidents, Sumitomo Construction Machinery has been enhancing the image recognition capabilities of the Field View Monitor (FVM) whose functions continue to evolve.

Since the cabs of hydraulic excavators are typically on the left side, the right side and rear tend to become blind spots for the operator. Eager to address this issue, the company developed a function, namely, 270-degree video, captured by three cameras mounted on the rear of the excavator, enabled the operator to check the rear side. This first-generation FVM, was initially offered as an option for hydraulic excavators in 2011 and then, from 2012, FVM was offered as part of the standard equipment of hydraulic excavators for the Japanese market to enhance safety.

With the first-generation FVM capable of displaying 270-degree video of what is happening at the rear of the excavator, which is often a blind spot for the operator, not only in the immediate vicinity of the excavator but also at a distance, the operator can accurately assess the operational environment. So beneficial is this function that it eventually became a de facto industry standard. Nevertheless, since operators must continually check their entire operational environment, they cannot always be looking at the monitor. Therefore, in 2017, the company began offering the newly developed Field View Monitor 2 (FVM2). If a human is detected near the excavator, this second-generation FVM shows an alert on the monitor and simultaneously issues a warning sound. This function is achieved through a combination of image recognition technology and machine learning.

Overview of FVM2’s detection system
Overview of FVM2’s detection system
Cameras mounted at three locations on the excavator capture 270-degree video of the rear view. A warning sound is issued if a worker is detected who is out of sight of the excavator operator.

Just as collision mitigation systems have become common for automobiles, so demand for hydraulic excavators and other types of construction machinery equipped with collision mitigation systems has been on the rise. Sumitomo Construction Machinery began offering FVM2+ equipped with a collision mitigation system and notification functions in 2020. If the collision mitigation system detects a person wearing a safety vest within a certain range during turning, reversing, or traveling, the machine automatically reduces speed and stops.

Collision mitigation system’s benefits
Collision mitigation system’s benefits
If the collision mitigation system detects a person wearing a safety vest in the vicinity of the machine, the machine reduces speed or stops, depending on the distance. This function helps prevent collision.

As construction machinery is used for construction and civil engineering, its usage environment is typically harsh. At sites, there are workers, equipment, and piles of dirt. It can be dusty. Moreover, weather conditions change. The system is required to identify humans under various environmental conditions. Therefore, the company adopted a 3D LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor, which allows three-dimensional distance measurement using the reflection of laser light. FVM2+ detects the reflection from safety vests worn by workers, making it possible to only respond to humans.

At the same time, to minimize physical stress on the operator, the collision mitigation system is tuned to decelerate before stopping, thus lessening the impact of the stop. For fine-tuning to optimize deceleration to prevent collision without imposing a burden on the operator, the company utilized knowledge gained through interviews with operators. Furthermore, the company also developed a system that monitors the operation of the collision mitigation system in real time. This system is useful for managers and the data obtained are used to create hazard maps that contribute to the data-driven reduction of the risk of industrial accidents.

Safety report by the collision mitigation system displayed on screen
Safety report by the collision mitigation system displayed on screen
The operational history of the collision mitigation system is available in real time, and the accumulated data can be utilized in measures to prevent collision at sites and for hazard risk countermeasures.

FVM2+ equipped with a collision mitigation system was registered in NETIS (New Technology Information System) in November 2022. NETIS is a database managed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for sharing cutting-edge technologies developed by the private sector. The fact that users adopting construction machinery equipped with FVM2+ are eligible for points in public works bids has led to enhanced recognition of the valuable contribution the company’s construction machinery equipped with FVM2+ is making to safety and security. Advent of the first-generation FVM underlined Sumitomo Construction Machinery’s longstanding commitment to development and provision of construction machinery supporting safe and secure construction sites. Now, the company is stepping up its efforts to offer progressively higher levels of safety.

  • FVM2 and FVM2+ can be mounted only on models for the Japanese market.
  • The images in this article are of a system under development and may differ from actual screens.
SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
https://www.sumitomokenki.com/
Sumitomo Construction Machinery Co, Ltd. (SCM) is a construction machinery manufacturer with world-class development capabilities and manufacturing technologies. Cumulative production of hydraulic excavators, a well-known SCM product, has reached 310,000 units, and Sumitomo excavators are in service worldwide. SCM recently enriched the excavator product line by adding models for special applications such as metal scrap handling, demolition, and forestry. The company also holds the top market share in Japan for asphalt finishers used for road paving.
Main Production Items
Pneumatic excavators (6 tons to 80 tons), material handling machines, road construction machinery (asphalt finishers, vibrating rollers)

Social issues addressed by Sumitomo Group companies

Decarbonization

Decarbonization

Read about initiatives to achieve a low-carbon society, aiming at net-zero greenhouse gas emissions since these emissions are implicated in global warming.

Supply chain

Supply chain

In view of ongoing globalization and the growing complexity of supply chains, companies need to respond appropriately to issues in supply chains.

New workstyles

New workstyles

The pace of workstyle reform is accelerating as the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted numerous companies to embrace novel ways of working.

Wellness

Wellness

For companies, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the crucial importance of employee health into sharp focus.

Climate Change

Climate Change

Accelerating global warming poses serious business risks. Accordingly, companies need to formulate strategies and implement specific countermeasures from a medium- to long-term perspective.

Electrification of mobility

Electrification of mobility

Spurred by efforts to reduce environmental impacts and in line with increasing social needs, replacement of gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles is accelerating.

Community

Community

Vigorous initiatives are afoot to tackle social issues by revitalizing communities and the interpersonal relationships that bind them together.

Poverty

Poverty

Poverty persists in contemporary Japan and the existence of child poverty is a grave concern.

Development of the next generation

Development of the next generation

In view of the continuing decline of Japan’s working age population, due to population aging coupled with a low birthrate, development of the next generation is an urgent issue.

Advanced Medicine

Advanced Medicine

The rapid progress in medicine in recent years is largely due to the efforts of not only universities and other research institutions but also of companies to develop cutting-edge technologies.

Local production for local consumption

Local production for local consumption

Numerous initiatives to promote industry and commerce at the regional and community level are underway, involving the use of renewable energy and thus contributing to decarbonization.

Food loss and waste

Food loss and waste

One-third of food produced is lost or wasted globally, amounting to about 1.3 billion tons per year. Food loss and waste is a pressing issue in need of a solution.

Planetary Health

Planetary Health

Companies are addressing a wide range of issues so that people and companies can coexist in harmony with the global environment.

Resilience

Resilience

In addition to natural disasters, there are various types of hazards whose nature, incidence and severity are changing with the times. Resilience and flexibility are indispensable in dealing with them.

Regional revitalization

Regional revitalization

Read about initiatives to achieve sustainable regional revitalization. The attributes and resources that each region can offer are leveraged to strengthen local economies and overcome the problem of population decline.

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