According to engineerlive.com, Develon and Leica Geosystems have expanded availability of the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution to all Develon 9 Series Crawler Excavators as an aftermarket kit. The system integrates with Develon’s existing 2D sensors and calibration systems, allowing customers to upgrade their entire Nine Series fleet to 3D technology. The partnership leverages Develon’s open control architecture that enables real-time communication between built-in excavator sensors and Leica’s 3D systems. Company executives from both sides emphasized this move as reinforcing innovation commitment and enabling customers to work smarter.
Why this upgrade path matters
Here’s the thing about construction technology adoption – it’s not just about what’s possible, but what’s practical. Most contractors already have significant investments in their current equipment, and telling them to buy all-new machines just to get 3D capabilities is a hard sell. This aftermarket approach is actually pretty smart. Basically, it lets fleets upgrade incrementally without scrapping their existing 9 Series excavators. And given how expensive these machines are, that’s a huge deal for businesses trying to modernize without breaking the bank.
The technical integration challenge
What’s interesting here is how they’re bridging the 2D-to-3D gap. The system maintains compatibility with Develon’s existing 2D technologies like Virtual Wall for safety boundaries and Advanced Lift Assist for stability. That’s crucial because operators don’t want to lose proven features they rely on daily. The real magic seems to be in Develon’s open control architecture – it creates this communication bridge between the excavator’s native systems and Leica’s 3D automation. But integration like this isn’t simple. Getting real-time data flowing smoothly between different manufacturers’ systems? That’s where things can get messy, though both companies claim they’ve nailed the installation and calibration process.
Broader industry implications
This partnership between Develon and Leica Geosystems (part of Hexagon) represents a shift in how construction technology gets deployed. Instead of forcing customers into all-or-nothing equipment upgrades, they’re creating upgrade paths that respect existing investments. It’s a recognition that the construction industry moves at its own pace, and technology providers need to meet customers where they are. The question is whether other equipment manufacturers will follow this model. Given the success Leica is having with integration partnerships, I’d bet we’ll see more of these collaborations in the coming years.
