NTT Builds Remote Digger Foundations

Why It Matters

By proving reliable, low‑latency remote control, NTT paves the way for broader automation in construction, potentially easing skilled‑worker deficits and boosting site productivity.

Key Takeaways

• NTT and Taisei remotely controlled three heavy machines using IOWN APN.
• Private 5G covered 300 m, while 60 GHz WiGig handled high‑def video streams.
• Low‑latency, jitter‑free links enable real‑time depth perception for operators.
• Remote operation could mitigate construction labor shortages and long work hours.
• IOWN APN showcases scalable, power‑efficient data transmission for future site automation.

Pulse Analysis

The construction industry has long grappled with a dwindling pool of skilled operators and the safety risks inherent in manual heavy‑equipment work. NTT’s recent field test, conducted with Taisei, demonstrates how a photonic‑based network can bridge that gap by allowing a single operator to command multiple excavators and bulldozers from a remote control room. Leveraging the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network All Photonic Network (IOWN APN), the trial showcases a practical pathway toward fully unmanned sites, where human presence is limited to supervisory oversight.

Technically, the system combined a private 5G slice covering a 300‑metre radius with a 60 GHz WiGig link to transmit gigabit‑speed video and control signals. This hybrid approach delivered sub‑10‑millisecond round‑trip latency and negligible jitter, conditions required for depth‑perception and precise maneuvering of heavy machinery. High‑definition feeds from multiple camera angles were streamed in real time, enabling the operator to maintain situational awareness comparable to on‑site presence. The IOWN architecture also emphasizes power efficiency, a critical factor as data volumes grow on construction sites.

The successful demonstration positions NTT as a frontrunner in construction‑tech convergence, signaling that remote operation could become a standard solution for labor‑intensive projects. Companies facing chronic staffing shortages may adopt similar low‑latency networks to extend work hours without additional on‑site crews, improving productivity and safety. As 5G rollouts mature and photonic networking gains traction, the cost barrier for such deployments is expected to fall, accelerating industry‑wide adoption and reshaping how infrastructure is built.