Sodex, Built Robotics and Unicontrol are among a growing number of insurgencies angling for a share of the growing market for excavator automation and guidance.

While Trimble, Leica and Topcon own much of the market for equipment automation, Sodex, Unicontrol and Built Robotics are offering novel or more affordable technologies that may either push the boundaries of construction equipment autonomy or enlarge the addressable market for equipment automation.

As more government infrastructure projects specifically call for construction equipment automation, contractors involved in other types of work are also attracted to the efficiencies delivered by technology that makes earthmoving and other equipment easier to use, captures production data or increases safety.

In some cases, these technologies are fresh off the drawing board, still nailing down distribution in the United States, or are just coming to market. But today and increasingly in the months and years ahead, contractors interested in equipment automation will have more choices with a broader swath of capabilities than they do today.