--- title: "Watch a Construction Crew Operate Heavy Equipment by Remote Control" description: "This construction crew operates dump trucks and excavators via remote control, 45 miles away from the job site." date: "2024-04-28" modified: "2024-04-28" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/watch-a-construction-crew-operate-heavy-equipment-by-remote-control" categories: - "News" --- # Watch a Construction Crew Operate Heavy Equipment by Remote Control ![]() *Teleo* I can't even drive a remote control car well. I constantly crash, then I get frustrated, and I stop. So the idea of operating heavy machinery like excavators and dump trucks via[ remote control ]()both terrifies and impresses me. However, [Teleo ]()retrofits all sorts of heavy construction machinery with semi-autonomous technology, allowing contractors to operate them remotely and it's wild to watch. One of the first companies to use Teleo's remote control tech is Florida-based contractor, Tomahawk, which just started using Teleo's tech in some of its trucks. While using the trucks and excavators to build a new housing development in Naples, Florida, the operator sits in a building 45 miles away in Fort Meyers, Florida. Not only is the operator capable of controlling the equipment, but he's also able to control multiple vehicles from the same chair. That means one person can control several trucks, cutting down on the employees needed for a job. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() That sounds great for contractors, who can hire fewer employees, thus cutting the costs of certain projects, but it's certainly going to make already AI-averse people even more unhappy. However, according to Teleo and Tomahawk, labor shortages are making it more and more difficult for contractors to find skilled drivers and operators for heavy equipment. “We really have just had a hard time getting people into haul trucks,” said Tomahawk owner Scott Lyons. From a technical standpoint, Teleo's tech is incredibly impressive. The operator sits in what looks like a flight simulator rig—with three monitors, a control screen, and a joystick—and controls multiple vehicles. “I am the first operator in the world to run multiple articulated dump trucks at once,” said Tomahawk operator Max Bogacz. He uses the excavator to dig up dirt, then dump that dirt in the back of a dump truck, and haul the dirt away, all from the comfort of a cozy leather chair, in an air-conditioned room, 45 miles away. With autonomy and artificial intelligence becoming more and more common, there will surely be more remote-controlled heavy machines driving around construction sites sooner than later. It will be interesting to see what other sorts of applications Teleo can use this tech for and how it can improve the speed and efficiency of many jobs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbDDsnMbU9Q *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()