Hiab plans to bring 3D virtual-reality crane operation to the United States in 2019. Operators don VR goggles and don’t have to leave the truck’s cab, which increases safety and allows comfortable operation in all weather conditions and at night, the company says.
Virtual reality has emerged in the construction industry as a training tool for crane operations, but Hiab is the first to add VR to actual crane operation. The product debuted in April 2016 at the Bauma exhibition in Germany.
The truck-mounted crane manufacturer has reported success with its European launch of VR goggle-operation, called HiVision, for its Loglift and Jonesered brand forestry cranes.
Hiab’s U.S. marketing director, Kim Quinn, says the company will introduce the Loglift forestry cranes with HiVision to the United States mid-2019. The company also plans to add HiVision to its mid-range Hiab loader cranes here, particularly those used in drywall installation.
“Loglift is being incorporated into our 2019 model lineup here in the U.S.,” Quinn tells Equipment World. “That will be kind of the pioneering product for bringing this technology to our customers in the U.S. And then our Hiab crane loader line will also have that feature incorporated as an option also beginning with models that will be launched in 2019.”
Since its European launch, Hiab reports it has seen increased sales, as well as won awards for the VR product. The Sweden-based company specializes in on-road truck-mounted loader and articulated cranes, truck-mounted forklifts, hook lifts and skip loaders. Along with Hiab, brand names include Moffett, Multilift, Zepro, Del and Waltco.
