Develon enhances site safety with new generation smart safety solutions
Develon’s Series 9 smart crawley excavator range will be equipped with advanced intelligent safety technologies designed to reduce job-site accidents and protect workers in high-risk environments
Building on the launch of the Series 9 machines last year, Develon is introducing a new generation of smart safety solutions, including the E-stop system- a first-of-its-kind specifically developed for the excavator market.
Modern construction sites are among the most hazardous work environments due to limited visibility, machine movement, and complex workflows, which create constant safety challenges. Develon’s latest innovation uses AI, advanced sensors, and automatic safety systems to address these risks.
Excavators can now be equipped with smart safety technologies, including around-view monitoring, collision-risk warnings and the E-stop system, which automatically stops machine movement when a person is detected within a 4m safety zone.
Stephane Dieu, product manager for Develon Excavators in Europe, said, “E-Stop technology is comparable to emergency braking systems used in the automotive industry, and has already attracted strong attention from operators seeking practical solutions to improve site safety standards.”
The Smart All-Around Viewing Monitor (SAVM) and E-Stop system form an AI-powered safety platform to provide real-time, 360-degree monitoring of the machine’s surroundings.
The system uses six cameras and three radar sensors to continuously scan from a 13m detection range, allowing operators to better understand their environment and effectively eliminate blind spots. Seven selectable viewing modes enable monitoring of the front, rear, left and right sides of the machine at any time.
When personnel are detected, operators receive an immediate visual and audible alert on the in-cab monitor, significantly increasing situational awareness.
The E-Stop system works alongside a Virtual Wall function to prevent accidents that operators may not see or anticipate. The surrounding work area is divided into clearly defined safety zones:
- Zone 2 – Yellow Warning Zone: Early alerts and automatic speed reduction from 6 m
- Zone 1 – Red Danger Zone: Automatic stopping of swing and reverse movements from 4 m
The system operates through three intelligent stages, designed to recognise people, it can distinguish human presence from objects to avoid unnecessary interruptions. The three stages are:
- HD camera detection of personnel
- Warning alerts and speed reduction from 6 metres
- Automatic machine stop at 4 metres (swing and reverse functions)
The E-Stop system is engineered to control or halt machine movement in hazardous situations, protecting operators and nearby workers. Meanwhile, the Virtual Wall features enable operators to define safe working boundaries, preventing movement into high-risk areas or potential collision zones.
While collisions with structures or equipment can cause costly damage, the most serious construction accidents involve people. On busy, complex construction sites, operators cannot always maintain full awareness of worker locations, a challenge that intelligent automation can help address.