Press Releases Hitachi Construction Machinery Launches “SkyAngle" for supporting Safety Checks around Construction Machinery

Hitachi Construction Machinery, Co. Ltd. (President: Yuichi Tsujimoto; hereinafter “HCM") has commercialized a system to supporting safety checks around construction machinery that was jointly developed with Clarion Co., Ltd. (President: Tatsuhiko Izumi; hereinafter “Clarion"). The system will be launched on October 1 under the brand name “SkyAngle*."

“SkyAngle" supports operator safety checks around construction machinery. The system enables images taken from several cameras mounted on construction machinery to be converted and synthesized and shown on a monitor from the operator’s seat as a bird’s-eye view focused on construction machinery. The operator can change images between a “wide-range view" and “close-range view," which focus on vehicles, and “parallel display," which includes one of the aforementioned displays beside a traditional rear monitoring system image. With this functionality, operators can quickly comprehend the situation around construction machinery such as the position of other construction machinery or service vehicles, which enables a more comfortable operating environment than before. The system was commercialized following the completion of verification tests for durability, functionality and performance using actual mining dump trucks.

Up until now, HCM has been continuously promoting initiatives to enhance on-site safety. In 2001, the Company launched a rear monitoring system for hydraulic excavators ahead of other companies that comprises a rear-view camera and display from the operator’s seat.

“SkyAngle" will initially be equipped on mining dump trucks with plans to gradually expand application to other products such as ultra-large hydraulic excavators. Going forward, HCM will continue to provide construction equipment that pursues safety and comfort and that has unparalleled product appeal.

*The name “overview monitoring system" announced on January 24, 2011 has been changed to “SkyAngle" which is a registered trademark of HCM.