Leica chooses UK company as tech partner

Leica Geosystems has announced that it has partnered with UK manufacturer Xwatch Safety Solutions, to enhance its job site safety products for excavators.

Based in Wales, Xwatch is a developer of safety technologies for the construction sector that works with distribution partners across the UK and in New Zealand and Australia.

Leica, which operates as part of Hexagon, has incorporated its Leica iCON PA80 safety awareness systems with the manufacturer’s XW 4 & 5 series of safety systems.  

The XW series systems monitor machine height and slew movement and are designed to accurately restrict movement using ‘feather touch’ proportional hydraulic control.

This allows the operator to limit the excavator’s height and side boundaries, thereby defining a working zone to increase safety around the machine. The Xwatch product range uses the latest hardware technology within the automation sector, and is said to offer a cost-effective solution. 

According to Leica, the integration of the technologies will transform jobsite safety by interconnecting excavator height control and slew control with Leica Geosystems 2D and 3D machine control and safety awareness products.

“We are delighted with this partnership between Leica Geosystems and Xwatch Safety Solutions,” said Dan Leaney, Director of Sales and Operation for Xwatch Safety Solutions.

“The integration of our XW series directly into Leica Geosystems MC1 ecosystem is a global first and a true revolution in safety.”

According to Leica, heavy construction consistently ranks in the top three industries worldwide for serious injuries and fatalities.

“Whether you’re operating heavy equipment or working around the machinery, keeping everyone alert on the jobsite helps to eliminate accidents,” it said.

It added that addressing these risks and helping prevent incidents on construction sites was the primary motivation for the integration of the XW series systems into its iCON safety awareness portfolio.

Brad Mullis, Product Manager for Safety Awareness Solutions at Leica Geosystems, said, “Through the integration of our Leica PA80 with Xwatch XW series we aim to provide solutions that protect assets and infrastructure but most importantly allow people to always see their families after a hard day’s work.”