Xwatch and RodRadar Announce Collaboration

Why It Matters

By converting detection into automatic intervention, the SBS solution can dramatically cut costly utility strikes and improve worker safety, positioning it for industry‑wide adoption and possible regulatory mandates.

Key Takeaways

• First safety‑grade “stop‑before‑strike” system for excavators
• Live Dig Radar detects utilities in real‑time via bucket‑mounted GPR
• Xwatch’s hydraulic control automatically halts bucket upon detection
• More than 6,500 Xwatch safety systems installed worldwide
• U.S. utility strikes cost about $30 billion each year

Pulse Analysis

Utility strikes remain a persistent pain point for construction firms, with the American Public Works Association estimating more than 400,000 incidents each year. Beyond the obvious safety hazards, each strike can halt projects, trigger expensive repairs, and generate liability claims that collectively drain an estimated $30 billion from the economy. Traditional workflows rely on pre‑dig utility maps and visual warnings, which often prove insufficient when underground assets shift or are undocumented. The market therefore demands a technology that can sense and act in the moment, reducing both human error and downstream costs.

RodRadar’s Live Dig Radar (LDR) addresses the detection gap by embedding ground‑penetrating radar directly into an excavator bucket. Leveraging AI algorithms, the system interprets GPR returns on the fly, pinpointing pipes, cables, and conduits as the operator digs. Xwatch contributes its safety‑grade hydraulic control platform, a proven suite that modulates bucket height and slew based on proportional hydraulic pressure. When LDR flags a utility, Xwatch’s controller instantly commands a bucket stop, mirroring the evolution from automotive ADAS alerts to autonomous emergency braking. This seamless hardware‑software integration transforms a passive warning into an active safeguard without sacrificing operator discretion.

The collaboration’s implications extend beyond immediate safety gains. Hexagon’s ownership of Xwatch provides a global distribution network and credibility that can accelerate adoption across large contractors and municipal projects. As utilities and infrastructure owners push for stricter compliance, the SBS system could become a de‑facto standard, potentially embedded in future contract specifications or even mandated by occupational safety regulators. Early adopters stand to lower insurance premiums, avoid costly rework, and improve project timelines, while the broader industry benefits from a measurable reduction in strike‑related incidents. In a sector where margins are thin and risk exposure high, the Xwatch‑RodRadar partnership offers a compelling value proposition that aligns technology, safety, and economics.