Research being carried out by Komatsu is paving the way for the world’s first underwater construction equipment.
Visitors to the recent global tech event CES 2025 in the USA have been treated to a preview of amphibious bulldozers being developed by Komatsu.
The advanced underwater construction robots are part of Komatsu’s drive to use innovative technologies and product design to meet the needs of customers in extreme applications – including underwater automation to support disaster relief and even remote operation for construction work on the moon!
The company recognises that rivers and oceans are in constant need of underwater construction.
If the sediments that accumulate in rivers and beaches are not maintained, they are prone to flooding.
Underwater construction has been silently protecting peoples’ lives and livelihoods.
In the near future, this critical task will evolve into underwater construction of the future, in which submersible construction robots will play an active role.
Underwater construction of the future will allow anyone to safely proceed with construction work, even in dangerous waters or deep-sea areas, through automatic control and remote operation that do not require skilled techniques.
Evolution of underwater construction technology dates back to 1971, following the 1970 Japan World Exposition, Osaka, when Komatsu began mass production of radio- controlled amphibious bulldozers.
Asunaro Aoki Construction owns all five of these units still in operation today, and has accumulated knowledge and construction technologies through more than 1200 underwater construction projects, including post-disaster reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
In recent years, the two companies have been collaborating to address social issues such as the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, as well as the shortage of skilled construction workers caused by the declining birthrate and aging population.
Together, Komatsu and Asunaro Aoki Construction are developing electric underwater construction robots equipped with automatic control and ICT functions that can be remotely operated without requiring skilled techniques, and which enable high-precision construction.
In July 2023, the concept machine was produced, and testing has been conducted in rivers and fishing ports.
The CES exhibit featured three short videos on immersive large screens, introducing the evolution of amphibious bulldozers into advanced underwater construction robots.
Visitors also experienced a highly realistic and exciting presentation, including a detailed large-scale model of the concept machine and a 3D display that simulates the underwater environment.
Komatsu CTO and Development Division President, Taisuke Kusaba, said the core industries that Komatsu served — construction and mining — offered plenty of extreme applications that pushed its engineers, programmers and designers to problem solve ground-breaking use of technology and product design to stay ahead of the needs of customers.
“As a proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators, CES offers a unique opportunity to highlight some of the leading-edge concepts we have in the works, as well as the Komatsu innovations that are actively helping shape the world around us,” he said.
With manufacturing and engineering hubs around the world, Komatsu offers current and future talent the opportunity to make a difference on a global scale, supporting customers that lead critical industries including construction, mining and forestry.
